Community-based rehab advocates to be part of PH campaign vs drugs

MANILA, Philippines — Private organizations will also have a role in solving the country’s drug problem as Vice President Leni Robredo pushes for a partnership between the government and anti-illegal drug advocates.

In a press briefing before her closed-door meeting with core members of the community-based rehab alliance (CoBRA) on Monday, Robredo underscored the importance of giving private groups a chance to be “part of the conversation.”

“Ito [CoBRA] ‘yong grupo na nagpu-push talaga (This is the group which is really pushing) for a more public health-based manner of solving the demand side of the drug problem,” she said.

“During the ICAD [Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs] meeting, I already made the recommendation na magkaroon ng paltform for private groups to become part of the conversation. Kasi ngayon…’yung gobyerno may ginagawa, y’ung private may ginagawa pero walang masyadong linkage except in local government units,” she added.

(During the ICAD meeting, I already made the recommendation to establish a platform where private groups to become part of the conversation. Because now, the government and the private organizations are doing their own things. But there’s not much of a linkage except in local government units).

She cited as an example Caloocan City, where she said the local government unit actively coordinating with the church and private organizations.

“Naging very active ang local government unit with the church and the private organization and yung mga examples ng mga working na mga models, ito yung gusto natin i-highlight at gawin, lalo na dun sa mga lugar na mataas yung statistics,” she added.

(Caloocan City’s local government unit is very active in coordinating with the church and the private organization and examples of models which are working; that is what we want to highlight and implement, especially in areas where the statistics is high).

Robredo was earlier designated as the co-chairperson of ICAD by the President following her criticism against the administration’s bloody drug war.

The Vice President said she had already informed Interior Secretary Eduardo Año that she would be meeting with the core group of CoBRA.

She said proposals of a partnership between CoBRA, the Department of Local and Interior Government (DILG), the Department of Health, and other agencies will be cemented during her meeting with the alliance.

The DILG is a member-agency of ICAD.

“DILG Secretary Año and Assistant Secretary [Ricojudge] Echiverri, we’re both very open to the idea of providing for this platform,” she said.

“‘Yong aking suggestion: ‘Wag nang ‘yong gobyerno lang yung naguusap, kasi ang dami nang experiences on the ground na pwedeng yung lesson,” she added.

(My suggestion: Conversations should not only be between government agencies because there’s a lot of experience on the ground that will serve as a lesson).

Robredo also mentioned that she met with the representatives from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes this morning. /je

READ: Robredo to meet with UN execs to research on illegal drug issues