Poe vows to recommend funds to hike PDEA agents’ hazard pay

SENATOR Grace Poe reiterated her support for the “five areas of concern” Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency raised including the hiring of additional 3,000 anti-narcotics personnel.

In her speech during PDEA’s 13th anniversary last Tuesday, the chairperson of the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs said these could be addressed through a “three-pronged initiative” to bolster the agency’s anti-drug campaign.

“To this date, I have never forgotten the five major concerns that were raised that day by PDEA Director General Undersecretary Arturo Cacdac Jr. to further bolster the anti-drug campaign,” Poe said.

Among the top concerns of PDEA are the hiring of additional 3,000 personnel and granting of hazard pay to the operatives who are directly exposed to danger and health risks during operations.

Cacdac also raised the need to increase monetary rewards to confidential informants and amend Republic Act 4200 or “The Anti-Wiretapping Law.”

PDEA also pushed for the enactment of the “Two-Witness Rule” in the required physical inventory and photograph of seized illegal drugs under Section 21, Article II of Republic Act 9165 or “The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002″ and the utilization of income coming from regulatory fees in the processing of licenses and permits.

In her visit to PDEA, Poe vowed to recommend fund allocation for the hazard pay of PDEA agents and cash rewards to civilian informants be included in the 2016 General Appropriations Act.

Poe, who is among the top choices to run for president in the 2016 elections, also sought to include the treatment and rehabilitation of drug dependents under PhilHealth coverage.

Such move has been part of the committee report on Senate Bill No. 3, or “The Free Drug Rehabilitation Act of 2013.” AC