Anti-drugs law translated to Bisaya

CEBU, Philippines – The Regional Trial Court-Branch 36, one of two designated drugs court in Negros Oriental, has painstakingly transmitted provisions of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Anti-Drugs Law of 2002, into the Bisayan dialect, for it to be read and fully understood by the barangays.

Presiding Judge Joseph Elmaco then proposed for a reproduction of the booklet, with a total of 91 pages, so that provisions of RA 9165 can be understood fully by all concerned, especially the barangay officials.

Upon assumption as a special court for drugs in 2012, Elmaco immediately thought of translating the law into the dialect with the help of a court employee, Felomino Gonzales Jr., contending that communication is of paramount importance in keeping everybody knowledgeable of the law's provisions.

Elmaco said the proper way to communicate properly is to have the law translated into the language of the people in a certain place.

Due to monetary constraints, however, the Bisayan translation of the law could not be printed with many copies to be shared to the barangays and to the students who are the most vulnerable to the proliferation of illegal drugs.

The judge then sought the help of local government units, including Dumaguete City, and the police to find ways and means for the printing of the book, to be distributed to the barangays, in schools and even to the police stations.

Elmaco believed a lot of barangay officials are not fully aware of the provisions of RA 9165, particularly Section 21 where their presence is required during the inventory of confiscated illegal drugs and paraphernalia.

In the conduct of search warrants, the officials are also required to witness it otherwise they can be administratively charged for refusing to do so.

Meanwhile, prosecution alone is not a solution to the drug problem, said Elmaco as he disclosed because even in the most advanced countries in America where everything is being provided such as logistics, facilities, equipment and technology, and yet the drug problem continues to become widespread.

This is because of the simple reason of poverty, that those involved have to resort to desperate alternatives in order to survive, he said.

In the case of Dumaguete, where there is high incidence of unemployment, poverty is prevalent in the barangays that were identified as hotspots for illegal drugs, said Elmaco.

With such problems being identified, it is high time for the LGU to address the problem head-on, and the judge suggested in organizing an association of skilled workers such as plumbers, electricians, carpenters and masons.

The government, through the Technical Education, Skills Development Authority shall provide skills training to identified barangays in the drug problem, and when fully trained utilize their skills for them to earn meager income rather than engaged in selling illegal drugs, Elmaco added.