Bulacan intensifies campaign against drug abuse
CITY OF MALOLOS – In a bid to raise public awareness and encourage local government units to implement community development programs that focuses on fighting illegal drugs, the Provincial Government of Bulacan in cooperation with Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) conducted a seminar on Anti-Drug Abuse yesterday morning at Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center in this city.
Bulacan Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado said that the seminar and the formation of Anti-Drug Abuse Council (ADAC) is a great strategy with regard to the formulation of policies and programs on reducing and preventing drug abuse among young Bulakenyos.
“Lubhang nagkakabahala ang paglaganap ng krimen kung saan ang mga naitalang salarin ay nasa impluwensya ng ipinagbabawal na gamot. Maraming buhay ang nakita nating nasayang at nasira kaya naman masasabi natin ang numero unong kalaban ng ating lipunan ay drug abuse,” Alvarado said.
The governor, who is also the chairman of the Regional Development Council in Central Luzon, also said that the Provincial Government, with the cooperation of local government units (LGUs) is eager to conduct different outreach and advocacy programs to counter the dangers and ill effects of drug abuse.
PDEA Region III Director Gladys Rosales explained the current situation of drug abuse in Central Luzon particularly in the province of Bulacan.
“Naitala ang Region 3 na pang apat sa pinaka talamak na gumagamit ng droga at una sa listahan ng Region 3 ay ang Bulacan na may 330 na barangay na apektado ng drug abuse. Dagdag pa dito, noong 1997 to 2014, 96 na drug laboratory ang nahuli sa bansa at walo dito ay mula sa Bulacan,” Rosales said.
Meanwhile, PDEA Region III Public Information Officer Glenn Guillermo discussed the legal basis, functions of ADAC and possible sanctions towards the users and pushers of illegal drugs.
He also explained Memorandum Circular No. 98-227, No. 03-131 and No. 12-094 that state the objectives behind the creation of ADAC, the council that will manage the prevention of drug abuse in their respective municipalities and Republic Act No. 9165 which states that all the provinces in the country shall have intensive and unrelenting campaign against trafficking and use of dangerous drugs and other similar substances.