Negros Occidental governor Eugenio Jose Lacson urged the cooperation of everyone to successfully eradicate illegal drugs in the province.
Lacson made the statement during the Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Summit held at the Negros Residences in Bacolod City over the weekend.
Mayors, police officers, and representatives from the different towns and cities of the province and other stakeholders were present in the summit.
“Let us start this summit with the same purpose and determination, that for the sake of our people and our children, we are going to make good of this avenue, to fully explore and discuss all possibilities, and the most effective strategies, to eradicate the use and trade of illegal drugs in the province,” Lacson said.
The activity was jointly spearheaded by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Dept. of Health (DOH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Justice (DOJ), Liga ng mga Barangay (LNB), and Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council.
Lacson also recognized and lauded the progress of PDEA and Negros Occidental Provincial Police Office as their report indicated that 36.94% of Negros Occidental barangays have already been cleared of illegal drugs.
Meanwhile, DILG Region VI Assistant Regional Director Maria Calpiza Sardua lauded the province for holding the very first provincial summit in Western Visayas for this year.
DILG Undersecretary for Anti-illegal drugs and External and Legislative Affairs Ricojudge Janvier Echeverri also gave his keynote speech through a recorded video message.
Also present in the activity were Assistant Regional Director of PDEA-Region VI, Donelyn Hemedez; DILG Negros Occidental OIC Provincial Director, Roselyn Quintana; Liga ng mga Barangay president and Negros Occ. Board Member Juvy Pepello; Police Colonel Romy Palgue, Negros Occidental Provincial Police Office Director; Police Colonel Manuel Placido, Bacolod City Police Office Director, among others.
The activity is themed, “Mag-ugyon, Makigbahin, Papason ang Droga”. (Dolly Yasa via tdg, with a report/photo from Capitol PIO)
