MANILA, Philippines — The chairman of the House committee on dangerous drugs is seeking the transfer to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency of the P900-million allocation for the anti-drug operation dubbed Oplan Tokhang of the Philippine National Police in the proposed 2018 budget.
Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers has written Davao City Rep. Karlo Nograles, who chairs the committee on appropriations, for his proposal.
Barbers suggested that the Nograles panel transfer the Tokhang fund to PDEA when the House and the Senate reconcile their respective versions of the proposed budget for 2018.
He said since President Duterte has designated PDEA as the lead agency in the administration’s campaign against illegal drugs, it would need more funds to do its job.
Barbers said the agency’s funding in the proposed 2018 budget amounts to P1.5 billion.