A MINDANAOAN lawmaker has filed a bill in the House of Representatives that seeks to address the problem of drug pilferage in the Philippines.

It is one of the cruelest ironies of our time that there are reports that drugs under the custody of the authorities end up back on the streets.

That’s why we urge members of Congress to speed up the passage of House Bill (HB) No. 9668.

Filed by Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, the proposed law mandates all law enforcement units to promptly destroy all seized narcotics.

Barbers, chairman of the powerful House committee on dangerous drugs, is a son of the late police officer-turned Senator Robert Zabala Barbers.

HB No. 9668, or the Prompt Dangerous Drugs Destruction Act of 2023, mandates all incineration facilities to destroy seized narcotics free of charge.

In filing the bill, Barbers said that seized illegal drugs are “temptations” if held in custody for a long time by law enforcement authorities.

Of course, we share the view of Barbers that “if we are able to enact this measure, we can prevent pilferage and recycling of illegal drugs.”

The bill also provides tax incentives to facilities, including crematoriums, designated to incinerate seized illegal drugs and paraphernalia.

Without doubt, the Surigao del Norte lawmaker is on the right path in filing HB No. 9668.

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