BACOLOD CITY — The public may expect more apprehensions as the government intensifies its anti-illegal drug campaign, including the Oplan Tokhang of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
This, according to Undersecretary Austere Panadero of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), who was the keynote speaker during the Open Government and Participatory Governance Regional Dialogues at SMX Convention Center Bacolod on Tuesday.
He said there will be more intensified operations especially now that the police has re-launched its war on drugs.
Panadero said aside from the PNP, other government agencies like the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) are also continuing their respective anti-illegal drug operations.
“Also, our campaign in the barangay level continues. Between now and the elections in May, the DILG, Commission on Elections, and other partners, including civil society organizations will really work on making sure that our message on choosing the right officials is being intensified,” he added.
Panadero pointed out that “everyone knows the performance of everyone” thus, it is about time that when voters elect barangay officials in May, they already have informed decisions or judgments.
The DILG, along with its partners, will continue to make the information, including performance data, available to the public, Panadero said.
He added that Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año has already directed them to make sure that every Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council is organized, functioning and doing its jobs.
“The DILG along with other agencies will evaluate and assist these councils,” Panadero said, adding that the agency’s directive to officials on making their respective barangays drug-free stays.
“We are warning everyone to make sure that their barangays stay drug-free. Chairmen were already informed by the police on the status of their barangays thus, their objective is to make it free of drugs,” he added. (Erwin Nicavera/PNA)
