DILG backs Robredo pitch for TWG to review, enhance anti-drug drive

Vice President Leni Robredo speaks during a meeting with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) officials at the DILG office in Quezon City on Tuesday, November 19, 2019. Robredo met DILG officials and discussed the agency’s efforts in the campaign against illegal drugs. Officials of DILG and the Philippine National Police have briefed the Vice President on their respective anti-illegal drugs strategies. (Photo by Jay Ganzon, OVP)

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Tuesday backed the proposal of Vice President Leni Robredo to create a technical working group that will review and recommend measures to enhance the government’s fight against illegal drugs.

Interior Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said, “all amendments to existing laws and policies need to be harmonized and packaged as one when submitted to Congress.”

On Tuesday morning, Robredo met with DILG officials, including Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, to discuss their roles in the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD) – a meeting that Malaya described as “long and fruitful.”

The Vice President, who earlier called for a reassessment of the implementation of the government’s campaign against illegal drugs, was recently appointed as co-chairperson of ICAD.

“There may be perceived differences in so far as the strategies, policies, and programs are concerned but at the end of the day, what binds ICAD together is the commitment to eradicate the drug problem for the sake of present and future generations,” Malaya said in a statement.

Malaya said that during the meeting, Robredo expressed her support for the Community Based Drug Rehabilitation Program.

“We likewise appreciate her initiatives to interact and engage with different sectors such as the Church and other faith-based groups which could then tap their huge network and followers to serve as advocates and volunteers in support of the anti-illegal drugs campaign of the administration,” the interior department official said.

Further, Malaya said DILG is looking forward to meeting with other ICAD members to fast track the process of delisting drug surrenderers as well as in securing more funds for community-based drug rehabilitation.

“We assure her of the support and cooperation of the DILG and its attached agencies to make her succeed in her task as ICAD co-chair,” Malaya said.

Following the meeting, Año told reporters that the interior department is tasked to ensure local government units (LGUs) are on board the campaign against illegal drugs particularly on the establishment of anti-drug abuse councils.

DILG is also tasked to be at the forefront of informing the public about the anti-illegal drug policies of the government.

Edited by KGA