CAGAYAN de Oro City legislators has adopted a resolution requesting the city office of the Department of Interior and Local Goverment Director Jane Docallos to issue a memorandum to all punong barangays to intensify their campaign against illegal drugs and to activate or reactivate their respective rehabilitation programs.
This is in response to the recent special report of Councilor Roger Abaday, who said that the campaign against illegal drugs should be strengthened.
Abaday said based on data, 50 out of the 80 barangays in the city are considered cleared or drug free.
He however, cited that there are still several barangays affected by the drug problem.
The councilor stressed the need to activate the program against illegal drugs such as the Community Based Information Program where educating the people about drug use starts at the barangay level.
Abaday added that the strict implementation of the anti-drug campaign will reduce crimes in the city.
The councilor said he is hoping that barangay captains will be encouraged to help the city government in its campaign to stop the widespread use of illegal drugs especially in their respective territories.
For her part, Councilor Jocelyn Rodriguez said the problem of illegal drugs is real. She said after drug users undergo ‘tokhang’ they go back to the business as pushers or users.
“That is one realistic problem that we have encountered in our barangay,” she said recalling her experience as the barangay chair of Nazareth.
Rodriguez said once the accused are apprehended, and identified as pushers and users, they post bail, go to a place and do it again.
“I’m always afraid because pagbalik gyud nila when they post bail they again sell, mao na akong kahadlokan,” she cited.
Rodriguez said she is hoping that those who are apprehended will be detained in a rehabilitation center.
“Hopefully this can be improved in the city that those who are already apprehended cannot go back anymore to the place but instead go to a rehab if this is already being implemented in ‘Balay Silangan,’ she said.
The resolution has been referred the report to the committee on public order and safety chaired by Councilor Romeo Calizo for appropriate action. (sp)
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