SILAY CITY scores another accolade.
This “Little Paris” of Negros Occidental is now the only drug-cleared local government unit in the Negros Island Region (NIR), according to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
The conferment of the Balangay Excellence Award (BEA) — PDEA’s highest commendation for effective anti-illegal drug operations — was held on November 26.
Naturally, both Silay mayor Joedith Gallego and his police chief, Lieutenant Colonel Mark Anthony Darroca, were elated.
Why?
Because their three-year campaign to make Silay a drug-cleared city has finally borne fruit.
‘PROJECT I DREAM BIG’
Silay’s anti-illegal drug campaign revolved around its three-year-old program, “Project I Dream Big.”
Its goal was ambitious: neutralize 500 drug personalities (both pushers and users) by helping them reform through rehabilitation.
The city government allotted P30 million, or P10 million per year, solely for this program.
What made the initiative stand out, however, was its “non-confrontational” design — no force, no violence, and therefore entirely bloodless.
“Project I Dream Big” begins with profiling and the creation of a detailed matrix of identified users and pushers. Once positively tagged, police officers do not immediately arrest them. Instead, they invite them for a one-on-one conversation.
During this dialogue, candidates are oriented about the consequences of their choices and the support available should they voluntarily enter a rehabilitation and reformation program — all at no cost to their families.
“Not easy. We needed to master the art of haggling in order to convince our subjects that both the Silay government and the police are serious in helping them towards total renewal,” Darroca said.
He admits the program was ambitious, but it eventually proved effective.
5 PILLARS
“Project I Dream Big” rests on five pillars: prevention, law enforcement, rehabilitation, aftercare, and monitoring.
Under the program, drug users undergo a 10-day rehabilitation program, while pushers are required to complete a three-month rehabilitation at Silay’s Bahay Silangan — all expenses covered by the city government.
Post-rehabilitation, participants receive skills training aligned with their preferred livelihood tracks. This training is also free, courtesy of the Silay City government and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
Today, more than 400 former drug pushers and users in Silay are now engaged in hog and poultry raising, welding, and food processing.
PUBLIC SUPPORT
Darroca candidly shared: “I am happy to see these people seriously embracing their renewed lives.”
He noted that while skepticism existed early on, the rehabilitated pushers and users eventually came to appreciate “Project I Dream Big” as a major turning point in their lives.
More recently, it is the public that has been tipping off the police about active drug personalities in their neighborhoods.
With near 100 percent public trust, the program not only thrived — it triumphed.
Residents saw how serious and determined the authorities were in freeing Silay from the drug menace.
UNBENDING PERSONAL POLICY
Also instrumental to the program’s success was Mayor Gallego’s firm personal policy: he refuses to speak with family members of known pushers and users.
“Basta mabal-an ko lang nga may pusher o adik sa isa ka pamilya, indi gid ko mag-istorya sa bisan sin-o nga miyembro sang sina nga pamilya,” the mayor said.
Gallego, a former security guard turned politician, has prioritized the city’s anti-drug efforts since assuming office in 2022.
Still, he gives much credit to Darroca for his aggressiveness and seriousness in carrying out the campaign.
“Nagbunga gid man ang amon kampanya,” he said, describing Darroca as his “best catch,” given the latter’s extensive experience in anti-illegal drug operations dating back to 2014, when he served with the Police Regional Office 6’s Drug Enforcement Unit.
EXCELLENT INFORMANT
Humble as ever, Darroca acknowledged that the public has been the “excellent informant” behind the resounding success of “Project I Dream Big.”
Without public trust, he believes the program would have failed.
Thus, he considers the initiative a product of a beautiful synergy among the police, the local government, and the community. This triumvirate, he said, has proven effective in fighting the “evil” of illegal drugs.
The project initially faced doubts and criticisms, but Darroca was never dwarfed by the challenges. Instead, he became even more determined to prove to Mayor Gallego and to Silaynons that his vision could be achieved.
It happened.
And Silaynons are now reaping the benefits of his ambitious program.
Mayor Gallego cannot help but feel proud that in the entire NIR, Silay alone holds the coveted title of drug-cleared LGU.
It is an accomplishment for the books — an added feather in both Gallego’s and Darroca’s caps, and a badge of honor every Silaynon can proudly claim./PN
