City mulls buying own incinerator

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City government expressed willingness to buy an incinerating machine that the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-7 can use in the disposal of confiscated illegal drugs.

Mayor Raymond Garcia announced it during the 4th Quarter Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) Meeting in a hotel at the South Road Properties on Thursday, Dec. 12.

During the meeting, PDEA-7 reported an increase in the volume of confiscated illegal drugs following intensified operations conducted by them and the Philippine National Police.

Due to the intensified efforts to solve the drug menace, PDEA-7 disclosed that they are encountering problems in disposing of the illegal drugs after getting clearance from the court.

According to PDEA-7, they need to wait for the availability of the incinerating machine of funeral parlors for them to use it in the destruction of drugs.

Last month, PDEA-7 destroyed P489 million worth of dangerous drugs at Cosmopolitan Funeral Homes in the downtown area of Cebu City. These include 71 kilos of shabu, three kilograms of marijuana, 55 tablets of ecstasy, among others.

Garcia said the city government is willing to set aside P5 million to address the problem.

“Kung naa tay kaugalingon (nga incinerator) kita mag-control. Mas maayo gyud na because anytime, at our pleasure pwede nato masunog or ma-destroy ang mga illegal drugs,” Garcia was quoted in a report from the city public information office.

“So, mao na niingon ko nga willing ang City of Cebu nga mogahin og budget para pagpalit ana nga incinerator o makina para ma atoa na,” he added.

If the plan pushes thru, the incinerator will be under PDEA-7’s care. (CEBU NEWS)