ILOILO CITY — The city government will launch a new anti-drug campaign as a commitment of Mayor Jose Espinosa III to President Rodrigo R. Duterte.
The mayor on Monday said the program, dubbed “Utos ni Presidente, Utos ni Mayor: Just Say No to Drugs”, will ensure relentless and sustained anti-drug campaign in the metropolis.
“We will be going to schools and barangays (villages) to showcase that anti-drug program,” he said.
He revealed that while drug cases in the city have dropped according to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), the local government should not be complacent.
As part of the anti-drug campaign, the city government on Sunday also launched its Palarong Panlungsod to focus on sports.
“That is a program where we reach out to our children to encourage them to go into sports instead of drugs,” he said.
Meanwhile, to ensure the success of the initiative as well as other youth and sports programs, Espinosa appointed Marie Antoinette Gallos as Executive Assistant for Youth and Sports to work hand-in-hand with the Youth and Development Office of Jason Gregorio.
Gallos resigned from her post as Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairperson of Brgy. Ingore, La Paz. She vied for the SK Federation president post but lost to Leila Luntao.
“She’s a very active individual, has a good rapport with her fellow youth and she has good leadership,” he said.
Espinosa said it will not overlap with the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) because the main function of the SK is on governance aspect.
The SK chair, who sits as member of the council, works on legislation, he noted.
“We will be coordinating with the SK. So if there is a need for legislation needing the help of the SK representative, then we will be working with them,” he said. (Perla Lena/PNA)
