Province boosts anti-drug efforts

CEBU, Philippines - Prevention remains the top focus of the newly-created Cebu Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Commission (CPADAC) as it will thoroughly discuss more concrete projects in its regular meetings.

CPADAC chairperson, Governor Gwendolyn Garcia emphasized various aspects such as awareness drive, education and information dissemination.

The other facets Garcia said are the closing of all ports of entry, prevention and preemptive actions against those that are manufacturing, peddling, distributing illegal drugs, and the rehabilitative aspect for victims.

“But I would wish to focus on prevention kay usahay lisud kaayo ni i-rehabilitate ning na hooked on drugs na, we cannot dissipate our resources, we focus on prevention, hugtan gyud ni nato og maayo,” Garcia said.

During the launching held recently, the initial proposal of the member-agency, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-7, is for the establishment of a Canine Unit in the Province of Cebu.

PDEA 7 Director Jigger Montallana proposed 20 additional K-9 units for Cebu Province and this will be extensively discussed by the commission in their next meeting.

“I am hoping that with the regular meetings of CPADAC, we will come up with very, very concrete projects,” Garcia said.

Provincial prosecutor Pepita Jane Petralba earlier reported that drug cases in Cebu Province has now become alarming and it concerns them very much because of the technical requirements in the law.

However, Garcia said that the alarming state is a “matter of perspective” and that is comparable to growth in urban centers.

Garcia said it is always a challenge of every place which is progressive and economically leading in growth rate. She pointed out that the creation of CPADAC is so timely.

“Cebu now is experiencing really tremendous growth and development and progress. With growth and development comes with it the challenges of economic development, economic capacity of our constituents, maka-afford na og pamalit og shabu,” Garcia said.

Garcia earlier lauded the different stakeholders in supporting the creation of the CPADAC through a Provincial Ordinance sponsored by Board Member Carmen Remedios Durano-Meca who heads the Philippine Councilors League-Cebu Province Chapter.

The commission is composed of the agencies like the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency 7, National Bureau of Investigation 7, Cebu Provincial Police Office, Department of the Interior and Local Government (Province of Cebu), Department of Education (Province of Cebu), Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, Provincial Legal Office, Provincial Prosecutor’s Office, and private sectors.

Garcia said unless the ordinance will be repealed, the CPADAC would continue even after her term and not only during the effectivity in the case of an executive order.

The governor earlier warned those who are still thinking about continuing the illegal distribution, manufacture and even the transmission of drugs as she declared that there will be no let up in this campaign. — (FREEMAN)