Drug-cleared villages
IT’S certainly good news that the government, through concerned state offices and agencies, is out to rid more barangays of shabu, marijuana and other illegal drugs.
People concede that the government’s nationwide campaign against the drug menace is a gigantic undertaking but it is not an impossible mission, with help of the private sector.
From the previous “bloody war” against the “drug monster”, President Marcos is taking a “slightly different approach.”
Unlike former President Duterte, who concentrated on law enforcement, the focus of the Marcos administration is on prevention and rehabilitation of drug dependents.
In fact, the Ilocano Chief Executive from Ilocos Note is looking at educating the country’s youngsters, boys and girls, on the effects of using illegal drugs, including ecstasy.
And instead of going after small-time drug pushers, President Marcos wants the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other law enforcement agencies to concentrate on big-time peddlers.
Through its “Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan” (BIDA) Program, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) hopes to rid more barangays of illegal drugs.
In fact, DILG Undersecretary for Public Affairs and Communications Margarita Gutierrez said a total of 26,244 barangays have already been declared as “drug free.”
The figure is 74 percent of the 35,356 drug-affected villages across the country, said Undersecretary Gutierrez.
The administration’s “wholistic approach” to the problem requires the participation of the private sector, local government units and non-government organizations.
As other well-meaning Filipinos, we support President Marcos’ efforts to address the illegal drugs problem.
