Muntinlupa launches website

To inform a greater number of residents of the harmful effects of illegal drugs, the Muntinlupa City government has recently launched its own website.

The city’s Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Office (DAPCO) said its website will be able to help residents confronted with the illegal drugs problem better.

"They would also be able to get information on the ongoing projects of our office, which deal with topics such as how to stay away from drugs and the dialogues we are undertaking with different communities to help drug dependents," DAPCO chief Chito Valerio said.

The website, www.dapcomuntinlupa.org.ph, is referred to by DAPCO officials as the DAPCO Tracker.

It was named after the office’s regular monthly newsletter which has the same title.

"However, the news bulletin can only reach few people in the city since it has limited circulation due to budget constraints," Valerio said.

He added it was Mayor Jaime Fresnedi who encouraged them to create a website to make the city’s programs against illegal drugs stronger and widely known.

"Now, we can share our activities with the people or anyone who is interested in our programs. We can also now inform them of our plans and long-term goals. We are also open to criticisms if they will make our fight against illegal drugs much more effective," he said.

The city strives to become the first "Drug-Free City" by the year 2010.

Thus, DAPCO enforces various programs to achieve said goal, which include the implementation of random drug-testing of all city employees and search for drug-free communities, workplaces, schools and other establishments in the city.