2 Ilocos Norte towns, 80 barangays now drug-free

2 Ilocos Norte towns, 80 barangays now drug-free—PDEA

Results of a PDEA Ilocos Norte drug raid. (Alaric A. Yanos)

By Edison Justin Deus

PGIN-CMO

Laoag City—The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Ilocos Norte declared the towns of Carasi and Marcos, and 80 other barangays in Ilocos Norte as “completely drug-free.”

The Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) considers a local community as “drug-free” if supply of illegal drugs, transit and trade, drug laboratories and warehouses, drug dens, marijuana cultivation sites, users and pushers, protectors, and financiers are absent.

Lanibel Ancheta, PDEA Ilocos Norte provincial officer, said the most effective method to eradicate illegal drugs in the province is through the implementation of barangay clearings and community-based rehabilitation programs.

Earlier this month, President Rodrigo R. Duterte issued a memorandum directing PDEA to lead anti-drug operations after initially mandating the Philippine National Police (PNP) to spearhead the said campaign at the beginning of his term last year. The latest directive was in accordance with the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 or Republic Act (RA) 9165 which mandates PDEA to enforce the provisions of the law and serve as the implementing arm of the DDB.

Despite having only six officers in Ilocos Norte, PDEA continues to coordinate with the Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Office (INPPO) in conducting drug-clearing operations and supply reduction measures.

In its continuing campaign for a livable, sustainable, and resilient Ilocos Norte, the provincial government lead by governor Ma. Imelda Josefa “Imee” R. Marcos strongly supports the anti-drug operations: “Sumusugod ang anti-private firearms group (PFAG) natin, PDEA at PNP. Kailangan ang tulong ng barangay, ng kabataan, upang mabuwag ang mga malalaking sindikato. Salakniban ti biag dagiti annaktayo!”

PDEA Ilocos Norte and the PNP continue to conduct lectures on illegal drugs and community-based rehabilitation programs to achieve a drug-free province in line with the principle of Ms. Marcos that “peace and order are the requisite of development.”

In addition, a pilot rehabilitation clinic at the Vintar District Hospital in Vintar, Ilocos Norte will open next year. The project is in conjunction with Mr. Duterte’s ongoing anti-drug campaign.

"Ti gobierno ti sanggir iti umili", Ms. Marcos said, "By investing in Ilocano families, we can overcome the unbearable social cost of reckless migration… We must confront our youth in crisis, and provide solutions to substance abuse, teenage pregnancy, suicide, and other social ills wrought within heartbroken families."

Aside from the drug rehabilitation clinic, the provincial government also plans a pilot family shelter at the Doña Josefa E. Marcos District Hospital in Marcos, Ilocos Norte.

Comments

Free dormitories eyed for Nueva Era students in LC, Batac

Nueva Era mayor Aldrin Garvida By Dominic B. dela Cruz ( Staff Reporter) Nueva Era , Ilocos Norte—The municipal government here, headed by Nueva Era mayor Aldrin Garvida is planning to establish dormitories in the cities of Laoag and Batac that will exclusively cater to college students from the said cities. “Sapay la kuma ta maituloyen iti mabiit tay ar-arapaapen tayo ken iti munisipyo a maipatakderan kuma dagiti annak tayo a college students nga agbasbasa idiay siyudad iti Batac ken Laoag iti libre a dormitoryo a bukod da ngem inggana nga awan pay ket an-anusan mi paylaeng nga ibaklay kenni apo bise mayor iti pagbayad da iti kasera aggapu iti bukod mi a suweldo malaksid dagitay it-ited iti munisipyo ken iti barangay nga stipend da kada semester, ” Garvida said. Garvida added that the proposed establishment of dormitories would be a big help to the students’ parents as this would shoulder the expenses of their children for rent and likewise they would feel more secured

Empanada festival: A celebration of good taste and good life

By Dominic B. dela Cruz & Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporters BATAC CITY—If there is one thing Batac is truly proud of, it would be its famous empanada-making business that has nurtured its people over the years. Embracing a century-old culture and culinary tradition, Batac’s empanada claims to be the best and tastiest in the country with its distinctive Ilokano taste courtesy of its local ingredients: fresh grated papaya, mongo, chopped longganisa, and egg. The crispy orange wrapper and is made of rice flour that is deep-fried. The celebration of this city’s famous traditional fast food attracting locals and tourists elsewhere comes with the City Charter Day of Batac every 23 rd of June. Every year, the City Government of Batac led by Mayor Jeffrey Jubal Nalupta commemorate the city’s charter day celebration to further promote its famous One-Town, One Product, the Batac empanada. Empanada City The Batac empanada festival has already become an annua

P29 per kilo rice sold to vulnerable groups in Ilocos region

BBM RICE. Residents buy rice for only PHP29 per kilo at the NIA compound in San Nicolas town, Ilocos Norte province on Sept. 13, 2024. The activity was under a nationwide pilot program of the government to sell quality and affordable rice initially to the vulnerable sectors. (Lei Adriano) San Nicolas , Ilocos Norte —Senior citizens, persons with disability, and solo parents availed of cheap rice sold at PHP29 per kilogram during the grand launching of the Bagong Bayaning Magsasaka (BBM) Rice held at the National Irrigation Administration compound in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte province on Sept. 13, 2024. “ Maraming salamat Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. sa inyong pagmamahal sa Region 1 lalong-lalo na sa bayan namin sa San Nicolas,” said Violeta Pasion, a resident Brgy. 18 Bingao in this town. The low-priced grains were sourced from the National Irrigation Administration’s (NIA) contract farming with irrigators' association members in the province. Along with Pasion, Epi

The Ilocos Times

Search This Blog