The DILG National Capital Region held Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan (BIDA): Diyalogo Kontra Ilegal na Droga in the City of Manila on July 11, 2024, at the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc., as a manifest of full support for the concerted and intensified efforts of the PBBM administration’s campaign against illegal drugs.
The BIDA: Diyalogo Kontra Ilegal na Droga is a supplemental activity following the one-year anniversary of the BIDA program to continue to raise awareness and encourage the participation of the community, as it served as a platform to discuss drug-related challenges in the locality.
Usec. Earl Saavedra of the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB), Hon. Maria Sophia Solidum-Taylor of RTC Branch 31, Senior Assistant City Prosecutors Jewelyne Valenton-Carreon and Robert Indunan of the City of Manila, MPD District Director PBGen Arnold Thomas Ibay, DILG-NCR Regional Director Maria Lourdes Agustin, and DILG Manila Field Office City Director John Visca were the distinguished guests present during the activity.
Also in attendance were representatives from different sectors, including law enforcement, prosecution, and the court; civil society organizations; educational institutions; youth organizations; and concerned local government functionaries and barangay officials in the City of Manila.
RD Agustin delivered the keynote message, expressing the urgent drive to continue what has been started and that every sector has a vital role and shall be further empowered to double the gains and accomplishments in the implementation of drug demand and supply reduction initiatives. She encouraged everyone’s active participation in the fight against illegal drugs with one message: “Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan, para sa mga payapa at maunlad na pamayanan sa isang Bagong Pilipinas.”
PLCOL Damaso Burgos Jr of the Manila Police District and Investigation Agent Joshua Arquero of the Manila District Office of PDEA-NCR provided the current picture of the drug situation in the city. The MPD conducted 310 operations for the 2nd quarter of this year, resulting in the arrest of 567 individuals and the confiscation of illegal substances. PDEA-NCR likewise conducted interdiction, buy-bust, and joint greyhound operations. As for the Barangay Drug Clearing Program, as of July 11, 2024, the City of Manila has 380 drug-cleared barangays and 35 barangay candidates for drug-cleared status.
On the other hand, PCOL Bogard Arao presented the Pulis sa Barangay (PSB), a new program of the PNP aimed at providing assistance in the barangay in keeping a safe and secure community. The grand launch of this program is set to be conducted later in the month of July 2024.
Atty. Michael Miatari, Board Secretary of the DDB, discussed the updates on the DDB Regulations on anti-illegal drugs. Atty. Miatari briefly presented the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, focusing on the provision of effective mechanisms or measures to reintegrate into society individuals who have fallen victim to drug abuse or dangerous drug dependence. To supplement the DDB presentation, Ms. Analyn Favila of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council provided updates on DDB Board Regulation No. 2 series of 2023: Amending the Protocol in Handling Children Allegedly involved in Dangerous Drugs.
And to give guidance on the uniform procedure in the investigation and prosecution of cases involving violations of R.A. No. 9165, Senior Assistant City Prosecutor Jewelyne Valenton-Carreon presented in brief the Unified Manual in the Investigation and Prosecution of Dangerous Drugs Case.
Judge Solidum-Taylor shared important points highlighting technicalities in drug-related litigation. She mentioned that the members of the police shall ensure proper evidence handling and observance of necessary court procedures, including their attendance during arraignments. Further, Judge Solidum-Taylor articulated the mental and medical aspects of drug addiction and the possibility of treating it more as a personal and social illness than a crime. Hence, the needed reforms, such as the increase in the number of doctors involved in handling drug-related cases and the centralization of the drug enforcement process.
The activity will have a series of follow-up sessions to identify local drug-related issues, discuss their societal impacts, formulate strategic initiatives to address these challenges and create a compendium to be formalized through the signing by BIDA partners and stakeholders.
In closing, DILG-NCR LGMED Division Chief Raymond De Asis reiterated the vital roles and responsibilities of the different concerned offices in the fight against illegal drugs. The discussion on the interventions and initiatives in this fight will be continued in a series of talks and advocacy dialogues.