MANILA, Philippines — Secretary Mel Senen S. Sarmiento of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has assured the continuing support of the Department and its attached agencies to the National Anti-Drug Plan of Action (NADPA) 2015-2020 which President Benigno S. Aquino III ordered for implementation and institutionalization.
NADPA is the blueprint that describes the strategies and programs to be undertaken by the government in achieving a drug-resistant and eventually a drug-free Philippines.
It is a product of planning workshops and consultation meetings conducted with members of the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB), partner agencies, and stakeholders in the anti-drug advocacy. The DILG sits as an ex-officio member in the DDB.
“Suppressing and eradicating drug supply and demand are a big part of maintaining public order and safety for our present and future citizenry. Since its activation in October 2015, the Philippine National Police (PNP) Anti-illegal Drugs Group (AIDG) has been proactively conducting all-out and sustained operations against drug syndicates and personalities,” said Sarmiento.
The NADPA states that the PNP’s role and responsibility is coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the conduct of anti-drug operations in support of the supply reduction drive and supplement drug reduction efforts.
For the DILG, its role and responsibilities are to advocate the immediate establishment of Special Drug Education Center (SDEC) in each province and encourage highly-urbanized and independent component cities to establish their own SDEC that shall be supervised by the local chief executive (LCE).
The DILG is also tasked to actively participate in the strengthening of the criminal justice system and legal reform through its attached agencies namely the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Philippine Public Safety College (PPSC), and National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) Technical Committee on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice.
Further, it is the duty of the DILG to strengthen and monitor the conduct of barangay clearing operations in different drug-affected barangays to clear and convert them into anti-drug self-policing communities.
“The DILG revitalized the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC) in June 2015 and emphasized to local authorities, especially barangay officials, their principal role in drug clearing operations. Being the first line of defense, barangays should lead the fight against illegal drugs through the campaign called Mamamayan, Sugpuin ang Iligal na Droga (MASID),” Secretary Sarmiento said.
Meanwhile, BJMP is tasked to enhance anti-drug measures in jails, detention centers and other similar facilities; and assist the DDB and other agencies in the collection of data on drug-related crimes.
Also, provincial jails are directed to enhance anti-drug measures in provincial jails; and assist the DDB and other agencies in the collection of data on drug-related crimes.
On the other hand, local government units (LGUs) are responsible for appropriating a substantial portion of their respective annual budget to assist in or enhance the anti-drug campaign in their respective localities, giving priority to preventive education and treatment or rehabilitation of drug dependents.
It is also the responsibility of LGUs to establish, reactivate, or strengthen anti-drug abuse councils at various local government levels which shall initiate and monitor preventive drug education, treatment and rehabilitation programs, and supervise the implementation of SDECs, Family Drug Abuse Prevention Programs (FDAPPs), and other anti-drug campaign programs; maintain the effective operation of SDECs in their respective provinces and highly-urbanized cities.
At the same time, LGUs are also expected to participate or assist in providing alternative development or livelihood for their constituents , who are recovering drug dependents, marijuana cultivators, and others, with the use of local resources such as Internal Revenue Allotment and local budget; conduct of barangay clearing operations in the different drug-affected barangays to clear and convert them into anti-drug self-policing communities; and assist the law enforcement in the supply reduction. (DILG)
