Meca Urges Local Chiefs to Include Anti-Drug Programs in their 2015 Budget

The continuing fight against illegal drugs and illegal drug trade is one of the main thrusts of the Cebu Provincial Government.

On February 9, PB Carmen Durano-Meca’s passed a resolution reminding local government units (LGUs) through their local executive chiefs to strictly implement a memorandum from the Office of the Governor issued last May 2014.

Apparently, a number of local chief executives have not complied with the mandates under the said memoranda of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Office of the Governor.

Governor Hilario P. Davide III and Cebu Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Commission (CPADAC) issued a memorandum to all city and municipal mayors to ensure the inclusion of the anti-drug programs in their respective 2015 budgets.

The governor’s memo is in line with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) issued memorandum Circular No. 2009-09 emphasizing the mandate under RA 9165.

RA 9165 otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs of 2002 states under Article VII that all LGUs shall appropriate a substantial portion of their annual budgets to enhance enforcement, giving priority to preventive and education programs and the rehabilitation or treatment of drug dependents.

“The development (of drug use) is alarming and should immediately be corrected,” as written on the resolution.

According Joey Herrera, CPADAC’s executive director, speaking on behalf of PB Member, CPADAC Vice Chair Ivy Durano-Meca and PB Member Gigi Sanchez, “Those who were not able to allocate funds or budget for the anti-drugs program, kung magayo sila ug supplemental budget, dili i-approve if anti-drug program is not included (their request for supplemental budget will not be approved if anti-drug program is not included).”

“They were made aware and given conditions, that on the next supplemental budget they should include the anti-drug programs, otherwise dili ma-approve ang other budget items nila,” Herrera added.

He said they will persist to enforce the said policies on illegal drugs through strict implementation.

“Pug-son dyud namo. Para naa gyud budget ang anti-drug programs. Kay naa may mo-ingon nga wala sila maka-implement ug anti-drug program kay wala silay budget, so karon gipugos jud namo.” Herrera said.

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