Tacloban gov’t renews vow to fight illegal drugs

TACLOBAN CITY, Oct. 26 (PNA) -- Mayor Cristina Romualdez reiterated the commitment of the city government in the fight against illegal drugs during the joint anti-drug summit and launching of anti-corruption and anti-drug campaign on Tuesday.

The event kicked off with a parade from Rizal Park to the astrodome. Hundreds of students and teachers; employees from the city government, Philippine National Police; Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Fire, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG); business sector; inter-faith groups; non-government organizations and village officials attended the event.

The groups that attended the parade were carrying placards of support and there were mini-floats that bore the negative effects of illegal drug addiction.

Romualdez expressed her full support to the summit and the Masa Masid (Mamayan Ayaw sa Anomaliya at Mamayan Ayaw sa Illegal na Droga) program.

“The collective efforts of my administration, law enforcers and other sectors have made an impact in the drop of crime rate in the city in my first 100 days in office,” Romualdez said.

Masa Masid is a new program of the DILG, under President Rodolfo Duterte’s administration to rid communities of illegal drug users, sellers and drug proliferation, prevention of corruption and criminality.

Under DILG Memorandum Circular 2016-116, the program has four main thrusts: information and education campaign in communities for government programs against corruption, illegal drugs and criminality; creation of a reporting mechanism on illegal drugs-related activities; formulation of community-based rehabilitation programs; and revive the spirit of volunteerism by creating a volunteer-friendly atmosphere for organizations that wishes to be partners for change.

The DILG encouraged desks to be set up in the village hall for the volunteers helping the village leaders address problems in the community.

Romualdez hopes the crime rate will lessen further with the new program.

Businesswoman Caroline Andrade gave her full support to the program. She said when the city is drug-free, criminality and corruption are lessened, more business locators will come to invest and give employment opportunities. (PNA)

JMC/SQM/VICKY C. ARNAIZ/EGR