Mayor warns drug users

MAYOR BENG Climaco warned public utility drivers against using illegal drugs, saying she will not hesitate to file charges against them to protect the safety of passengers.

Climaco’s warning came after nine taxi, jeepney and tricycle drivers were tested positive for illegal drugs during a random drug tests conducted recently at the Integrated Bus terminal by the local Anti-Drug Abuse Council (ADAC). 

The drug tests was part of an intensified campaign by the ADAC, chaired by Climaco, in support to the government’s anti-narcotics program and ensure the safety of passengers.

The campaign, dubbed as “Oplan Harabas,” was in collaboration with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, the Land Transportation Office, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, the Philippine National Police and the Zamboanga City Social Welfare and Development Office. 

The mayor said seven taxi drivers, one tricycle driver and a jeepney driver were all positive for drug use. The identities of the drivers were not made public.

Climaco said the drug tests of public utility drivers also ensures a drug-free workplace program for the public transport sector.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has ordered all ADACs in the country to intensify their campaigns and strengthen their programs. The DILG said it will recognize the best-performing ADACs which have been fairly successful in the implementation of anti-illegal drugs initiatives in their localities after the stringent assessment of the 81 provinces, 146 cities, and 1,488 municipalities from April to June this year.

“We will start the assessment of the ADACs to determine which are doing well and which are lagging behind in their anti-illegal drugs campaign. Pagkatapos ng assessment ay pararangalan natin ang mga ADACs na maayos at masigasig na nagtrabaho,” said DILG Secretary Eduardo Año.

Año said ADACs' performance must maintain steady progress to cope with the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte to rid communities of illegal drugs and its perpetrators. He said the recognition and assessment will ensure that all ADACs are performing their mandate according to the parameters set by the national government.

“Ensuring that ADACs are effectively performing their mandate is a paramount priority for the DILG. These ADACs are our allies in our anti-illegal drugs campaign kaya nararapat lamang na kilalanin natin ang kanilang natatanging mga ambag sa pagsugpo sa iligal na droga sa bansa. Thus, it is also vital to evaluate their performance and see what can still be improved in our policies and enforcements," he said.

Año said outstanding ADACs will be determined using the following criteria: Barangay ADAC functionality or the percentage of total barangays with highly functional council sustainability of drug-cleared or drug-free status and the reduction of drug affectation.

“We are urging LGUs to strive for excellence and be proactive in their campaign against illegal drugs. LGUs who are effectively carrying out their duty in our ongoing campaign deserve to be awarded,” Año said.

ADAC is composed of the local chief executive as chairperson and with members from the Philippine National Police, the DILG, Department of Education, Department of Justice, local courts, as well as the local health officer, social welfare and development officer, public information officer, parole and probation and parole officer and two representatives from nongovernmental organizations and one representative from interfaith groups. (Zamboanga Post)