PB okays anti-drug abuse commission

CEBU, Philippines - The Provincial Board yesterday approved the creation of the Cebu Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Commission and the appropriation of P5 million initial funding for its operations and programs.

Board Members Carmen Remedios Durano-Meca, Jude Durano Sybico, Jose Ribomapil Holganza Jr. and Thadeo Ouano sponsored the ordinance creating the commission.

The commission shall assist the Office of the Governor in ensuring that all component cities and municipalities perform their tasks and responsibilities relative to anti-drug abuse and coordinate with various government agencies in the Province of Cebu relative to all programs and projects against drug abuse.

The commission shall be composed of the governor, the heads of the PB committees on Anti-Drugs and Substance Abuse Committee; Youth and Sports Development; and Barangay Affairs and Rural Development.

Also members are the directors of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-7, Cebu Police Provincial Office, Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Education, Department of Social Welfare and Development, the provincial legal officer, the provincial information officer, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology-7, Provincial Prosecutor, Provincial Health Officer, presidents of the mayors and vice mayors league in Cebu and seven private sector representatives to be appointed by the governor.

The officers of the Commission shall be co-terminus with the term of the governor.

Last September 27, 2004, Governor Gwendolyn Garcia ordered the extension of the effectivity of Executive Order 2003-08 issued by his father, Deputy Speaker Pablo Garcia creating the Cebu Provincial Anti-Drug and Substance Abuse Task Force.

During the Philippine Councilor’s League–Cebu Provincial Federation Stakeholders and Partners Consultation Workshop last May, one of its primary recommendations was to set up a permanent organizational structure to sustain the anti-drug abuse programs and projects.

This prompted Meca who heads the PCL-Cebu chapter to introduce the ordinance creating the said commission. (FREEMAN)