QC plans drug test for village chiefs

AFP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Because some Quezon City barangay (village) officials are allegedly “hooked” on illegal drugs, the city government is considering to require them to undergo drug testing.

Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte proposed the drug testing in the wake of reports that some village chiefs in the city are using illegal drugs.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) supported the city’s planned drug test.
Belmonte is the chairperson of the Quezon City Anti-Drug Abuse Advisory Council (QC-ADAAC).

In 2013 alone, 138 government officials, including 44 elected politicians, and 60 government employees and barangay functionaries, were arrested for drug-related offenses.

Expressing support to the proposed measure, PDEA undersecretary Arturo Cacdac Jr. said: “We have observed that a number of barangay officials are behind the illegal drug activities in their communities, or actually into substance abuse themselves.”

Cacdac said he “appreciates” the proposal of Belmonte to cleanse their ranks.

“This is the very essence of leadership by example, showing their constituents that local executives have the moral ascendancy to lead and become active partners in the national crusade against the drug menace,” he said.

The PDEA director also pointed out that intensifying the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (BADACs) should be continued in every village and district.

“A barangay is considered to be the smallest administrative unit in the country. Though small in structure, the battle against drug abuse and trafficking at the community and street levels definitely starts here,” Cacdac said.

In pursuing the measure, the city vice mayor said this would be an effective mechanism in eradicating substance abuse within the QC’s grassroots level.

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