DOH TO STEP UP DRIVE VS RABIES IN BICOL
By Ed de Leon

LEGAZPI CITY, (PIA) — The Department of Health (DOH) regional officer here disclosed last week that they are stepping up their campaign against rabies because Bicol is now top in the number of deaths caused by dog bites in the whole country with some 31 deaths registered in 2010.

Dr. Nestor Santiago, DOH regional director for Bicol, said during a recent press conference held the Office of Civil Defense regional office here (OCD) said that breakdown of casualties in rabies in Bicol included 12 in Camarines Sur, 7 in Camarines Norte, 6 in Albay, 4 in Masbate, and a case each in Catanduanes and Sorsogon.

Santiago also noted that there were more than 206 deaths due to rabies in the whole country last year.

He said they will be working together with the 115 local governments in the region to come up with effective measures to keep stray dogs off the streets as a precautionary measure .

DOH data disclosed that in 2010 there were more than 104,202 animal bites in the whole country and 95 percent of these were due to dog bites.

He said that they will also work with the Department of Agriculture to intensify the immunization of the canine population to reduce deaths due to rabies as a preventive measure.

Santiago pointed out that there is also a need to conduct an extensive information and education campaign (IEC) to inform the people on how to managed dog bites and further educate dog owners on responsible pet ownership. (EDLeon, PIA V/Albay/mal)

16 FMRs IN ALBAY NEED IMMEDIATE REHAB

LEGAZPI CITY, (PIA) — The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) provincial office here has reported a total of 16 farm-to-market roads (FMRs) across Albay that need immediate repair following the devastation brought about by flooding and landslides spawned by heavy continuous rains for almost a month since December 24, last year.

Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer Salve C. Tongco said rehabilitation of the said road networks needs immediate attention to prevent disruption of delivery of agricultural produce.
Tongco added that the repair will also hasten the donors’ reach to families that are affected by calamities recently.

Tongco said the 16 sixteen FMRs damaged include the Buga-Malolos via Panganiban road, San Jose-Harigue, Buga-Bariw via Balatingo road, San Jose-Malabiga and Villa Petrona-Libtong road, all in Libon town; Ogob-Bulang, Bulang-Quinarabasahan, both in Malinao town; Buyo-Sitio Calpi in Manito town;

Banquerohan-Villahermosa in Legazpi City; Bayandong-San Andres-Salvacion in Sto. Domingo town; Balinad-Hacienda Madarietta in Polangui town; Mauraro-Mapaco in Guinobatan town; Agol-Basicao Interior in Pioduran town; Mayon-San Ramon-San Vicente-Biga in Daraga town; Balogo-Parina-Labadami, and San Juan-San Vicente both in Oas town.

Tongco said these roads were heavily damaged by the recent continuous rains that caused landslides and flashfloods, estimating a P96 million budget needed to restore them and be of proper use by farmers and local traders.

Two of the heavily damaged were that of Bayandong-San Andres-Salvacion FMR in Sto. Domingo town and Balogo-Parina-Labadami FMR in Oas town which needed at least P10 million each.

The DAR provincial chief has already sought endorsement by Albay Governor Joey Salceda for funding of said rehabilitation program by the provincial government. (MALoterte, PIA V/Albay)

DENR BICOL CAUTIONS MINING PROPONENTS: “USE IT, OR LOSE IT”

LEGAZPI CITY, (PIA) – “Use it or lose it”. Department of Environment and Natural Resources V Regional Executive Director Joselin Marcus Fragada warned Monday (Jan. 31) all mining proponents with pending and inactive mining applications

Fragada pointed out Environment Secretary Ramon Paje’s directive on Friday (January 28) to all regional directors of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) to cleanse their respective regions of all pending and idle mining applications this year, setting two deadlines on February 20, 2011 for the first fifty percent (50%), and on December 2011 for the remaining fifty percent (50%).

“The cleansing of ageing mining applications is two-pronged: one is to institute reforms in the mining sector, and two as part of the DENR’s anti-corruption program” Fragada emphasized. He said the secretary’s order is intended to deprive DENR personnel of any opportunity for corruption.

Fragada averred that the move is among the reforms in the mining sector to enhance the management of the country’s natural resources.

MGB records show that there are currently 2,180 mining tenement applications that remain pending in various MGB regional offices for an average of 10 years or more. In Bicol, MGB identified 234 mining tenement applications and is now evaluating the muster list for the elimination process.

Mining tenements include mineral production sharing agreement (MPSA), exploration permit (EP) and financial and technical assistance agreement (FTAA).

Under Paje’s order, exploration contracts that have already expired for five years or more and mining contracts that have not implemented the three-year work program for two consecutive years are also subject of final action by the DENR.

As part of the cleansing procedure, Fragada explained that the agency is strictly carrying out the so-called “three letter-notice policy” in exacting compliance with all the requirements by the applicants, with a maximum interval of 30 days between these letters-notices.

Among the requirements in filing for mining applications include the acquisition of Free and Prior Informed Consent by the rightful indigenous peoples concerned as certified by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), the NCIP Certificate of Non-Overlap within one year, and the NCIP Certification Precondition (Compliance Certificate) within three years from the date of receipt by the NCIP of the pertinent letter requests from MGB.

The mining applicant must also submit proofs of consultation with the LGU’s Sangguinian within two years from the date of acceptance of the mining application, and the completion of publication, posting and radio announcement within one year from the date of acceptance of the mining application.

Failure on the part of the applicant to comply with any of the requirements shall be ground for the denial of the mining permit, Paje’s order mandated. (ASAraya, DENR V/PIA Albay/mal)

DENR-EMB PUSHES FOR THE PROMOTION OF BICOL ENDEMIC FRUITS
By Irma A. Guhit

SORSOGON CITY, (PIA) – Two endemic fruits have been unknown to many of Bicolanos, the Gumihan (Artocarpus sericicarpus} of the Family Moraceae and the Baligang (Syzygium curanii) of the Family Myrtaceae which grows extensively on the wild, some on private lands.

Director Fernando P. Quililan, DENR-EMB Bicol explained extensively during the interfacing with members of the Bacon Geothermal Multipartite Monitoring Team (BGMMT) held at Pepperland Hotel in Legazpi City earlier last month, that these fruits which are endemic to the Bicol Region be adopted as landmark fruits, aside from the Pili (Canarium ovatum) for celebrating unique festivities, such as the Gumihan and Baligang Festivals to rival or add on to the Durian and Lanzones Festivals of Davao and Camiguin among others.

These fruit bearing trees bear fruit every year and ripens during the months of May and June. Many have tasted the Baligang but the Gumihan according to most people is virtually unknown. Many have not seen how it’s golden fruit when ripe looks nor have tasted it at all, especially to the young generation now.

“I am an ardent proponent of the conservation, preservation and propagation of these two (2) fruit-bearing trees. In my sorties to the island of Mindanao, Visayas and even in the northern parts of Luzon, seldom did I ever see these fruits,” Quililan added.

The Gumihan is very similar to the Marang (Artocarpius odoratissi) but in terms of taste, the Gumihan tastes five times better and sweeter. Likewise, the Baligang which is similar to its relative, the Duhat (Syzygium cumini) tastes better with its sweet and sour combination.

The 250,000 reservation of the Energy Development Corporation, according to Quililan, will serve as the pilot area for the massive planting of the said two endemic trees and will fall under the “Binhi” program of EDC to plant million of fruit bearing trees that can be one of the mid-term development plan specifically, an add-on alternative source for livelihood.

“I am very passionate to undertake this project specially to introduce it as reforestation crops for EDC. In principle they have committed already their full support to fund this project. The planting of these endemic fruit trees within the reservation area will also provide more food for the 14- specie of fruit eating bats found at the EDC site and considered as awesome ecotourism features of the energy reservation area.’, Forester Quililan anxiously expressed.

“These two endemic fruits in the Bicol Region will highlight how rich we are in terms of our forest and how these can be harnessed as a very productive source of livelihood especially with our upland farmers. We are also planning to launch a contest in finding the biggest and sweetest Gumihan and Baligang this year. The seeds of these fruits will be used as planting materials so as to propagate the best Gumihan and Baligang that will place our region as a rich resource of these products.” Quililan further explained.

Present during the BGMMT Execom Meeting were former governor of Sorsogon, Sally Ante Lee, Engr. Leo Zancho Mago, representing the Energy Development Corporation (EDC), Engr. Adelaida Magante, representing Bacon Geothermal Incorporated (BGI), Mr. Manuel “Nong” Rangasa, representing Gov. Joey Salceda of the province of Albay, DENR-PENRO Oscar C. Dominguez of Sorsogon, DENR PENRO Forester Rodolfo M. Matusalem, Engr. Leonisa Madeloso and Engr. Eva S. Ocfemia, Provincial Environmental Management Officers (PEMO) of Sorsogon and Albay and two sectoral head representatives of the BGMMT, ICM Irma A. Guhit of PIA Sorsogon, chair of the BGMMT IEC committee, and Engineer Maribeth L. Fruto, PENRO- LGU provincial head, BGMMT chair of the Forest Protection Committee.

“As former governor of the province of Sorsogon, I am grateful Director Quililan has seen the importance of these endemic trees. These really have to be handed down to the next generation, otherwise they lose the chance of knowing what their fore fathers have enjoyed,” Lee said.

She added that propagation of these trees in the region is a way too, to increase the income of our local tree planters. It will address environmental concerns and problems like the proliferation of kaingins. It is also a very laudable action since it will provide food for the table, which is the first thrust of the Millenium Development Goals (MDG), to address poverty.

“I know that EDC thru their corporate social responsibility program, the spirit of shared responsibility is always highlighted. I am truly glad that Albay and Sorsogon are provinces who will spearhead in addressing global warming and climate change through this project,” Lee stressed.

Rangasa, representing Governor Joey Salceda, meanwhile expressed all out support of the program, citing that the provincial government of Albay will initialize implementation since it has a Research Center for Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation.

“We will include this project as one of its priority projects for 2011, adding that Governor Salceda always welcomes new initiatives especially if this will address issues on Climate Change,” he said.
The proposal for this project has been formally signed during the Execom meeting and the period of implementation will start early February of this year. Quililan has also provided the members the signed copies of the project. (PIA Sorsogon)

CAMARINES SUR FISHER FOLKS UNDERGO TRAINING ON AQUACULTURE

SANGAY, Camarines Sur, (PIA) — Fishermen from the coastal barangays of Bongalon and Sibaguan, this town will be the lucky recipients of a 2-day training workshop which will focus on the proper cultivation of freshwater prawns, seaweeds and saline tilapia.

The activity will be conducted at the Partido State University (PSU), here from today until February 2.

Funded by the European Union under its Food Facility – Facility for Rapid Response to Soaring Prices in Developing Countries, the training is part of the activities under the European Union – Focused Food Production Assistance to Vulnerable Sectors otherwise known as the EU-FPAVAS project.

It aims, among others, to increase aquaculture yields of fisher folks cited as its beneficiaries and alleviate the ill effects of climate change on agricultural production.

The activity also seeks to impart to the participants how to use the appropriate technology specifically concerning saline tilapia cultivation.

Invited speakers include Dr. Hermogenes Tambalque, WorldFish aqua-culture consultant who will impart his expertise on how to nurture freshwater prawns and develop that learning into a business opportunity. Important details on putting up fish cages will also be discussed.

BFAR Region V Seaweeds Action Officer Roberto Santillana will also discuss seaweed culture on the last day of the seminar.

The lecturers will also teach the participants how to select the proper site and its preparation, various culture methods and diverse infirmity affecting the sea weeds. Part of the discussion will also focus on farm management, post harvest and cost and return analysis.

The province of Camarines Sur is among the six (6) provinces chosen all over the Philippines to benefit from the project along with Camarines Norte, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Occidental Mindoro and Oriental Mindoro in partnership with Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA). (PIA Camarines Sur)

PNP BICOL REGIONAL DIRECTOR MAKES 1ST COMMAND VISIT IN CATANDUANES FOR 2011

VIRAC, Catanduanes, (PIA) — Bicol Philippine National Police (PNP) Regional Director, Chief/Supt. Cecilio B. Calleja, Jr. Visited Catanduanes Police Provincial Office today, February 1, 2100 for the First command visit and conference at Camp Francisco Camacho here.

Catanduanes Provincial Director Sr./Supt. Lito Pitallano said that this is the first visit of Director Calleja for 2011, together with his directorial staff. Attended by the 11 chief of police, uniform and non-uniform personnel from the PPO, a conference with the director and dialogue among the officers was held. The visit also gives moral support to the men and women in uniform at Catanduanes PPO.

During the short program held before the conference proper, a plaque of commendation and cash were given to some officers for a job-well done, efficient performance and high sense of responsibility.

P/SI Reynato C. Teston, Sr. And his staff of the Bato Police Station was given a commendation for their professional competence and devotion to their duty that resulted to the arrest of Benny Bernal Y Casio, listed as number eight (8) Municipal Most Wanted Person of Bato.

Certificate of Commendation was also presented to PO2 Luziel Divinal T. Vidal and PO, Rachelle Ann R. Manlangit of the Catanduanes PPO for their good performance during the rescue operation of one minor which greatly contributed to the accomplishment on RA 9208 otherwise known as Anti-Trafficking in Person Act of 2003.

While P/Insp. Von Eric F. Gualberto and staff were given same commendation and cash for the performance and high sense of responsibility as members of Viga Municipal Police Station who rescued drowning fishermen at the seawater of barangay Tambongon, Viga, Catanduanes last January 11, 2011. (EA Bagadiong, PIACatanduanes)

DENR ALLOTS P28-M FOR ALBAY FORESTRY ACTIVITIES
By Aida Alcazar-Naz

LEGAZPI CITY, (PIA) – Some P28 million has been allotted for forestry activities in Albay province with 2,500 farmers as participants in agro-forestry, upland farming and mangrove planting.

Funds for these planting projects have been set aside by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Bicol for 2011, disclosed Forester Rodolfo Matusalem, Albay’s Provincial Environment and Natural Resources during Tuesday’s PIA Bicol radio program Aramon Ta Daw.

P10 million of the funds will go to upland reforestation for which areas will be planted with narra and mahogany.

Another P10 million allocation is set for agroforestry where farmers are set to plant narra and fruit-bearing trees especially pili, it being extensively propagated and recommended by the Bicol Pili Board. Agojo though, will be planted within the Mayon Volcano National Park.

P8 million was earmarked for mangrove planting in coastal areas as a mitigation measure for tidal surge aside from fishery purposes.

Each of the 2,500 farmers especially those in the agro-forestry and upland farming have agreed to cover 1 hectare each to plant and nurture.

PENRO Matusalem also explained that per report of the technical staff from the field revealed that Albay registered “zero forest damage despite the torrential rains that caused massive flooding and landslide in some areas in the province, because affected woodland were found situated within alienable and disposable (A&D) areas not in the province’s forestland”.

He particularly referred to damaged timbers in mudslide affected towns of Oas and Manito.

There are still 252,000 hectares of alien and disposable lands in Albay where half have titles already, added Matusalem.

The PENRO called on local government units to continue taking care of the environment and encouraged them to implement integrated eco-system programs as mitigation measures for landslides. (PIA V/Albay)

Gov't to intensify reforms in DND procurement, disbursements -- Sec. Abad

MANILA, (PIA) — Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Florencio Abad on Tuesday said the Aquino administration will take advantage of the opportunity to escalate reforms in the utilization of national defense funds, in light of alleged anomalies revealed recently before a Senate probe.

“The revelations of former Lt. Col. George Rabusa on the supposed diversion and misuse of national defense funds compels us to go deeper into the disbursement and procurement practices of the Defense establishment,” Abad said.

“Even as we have already established reforms and safeguards, we cannot afford to be complacent. We will shine daylight into how the defense establishment spends the people’s money and eliminate all possible openings for these rackets,” he added.

In the past, he said “savings” from unfilled or vacated uniformed and non-uniformed positions have been diverted to other uses because the full personnel services (PS) allotments had been released in full.

Now, the national government will release PS allotments only for filled positions, or an estimated 80 percent of all positions. For 2011, some P8.602 billion has been withheld “and shielded from possible diversion,” Abad stressed.

An updated report of the roster of uniformed and non-uniformed personnel of the AFP should now be submitted by the Department of National Defense (DND) to the DBM for a precise picture of real funding requirements. The 2011 Staffing Summary indicates that there are 135,699 uniformed and non-uniformed positions of the AFP, and the total PS allotment amounts to P68.850 billion.

In the past, he added that “conversion” of maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) and capital outlay (CO) allotments of the AFP and the “certification” of expenditures without supporting documents were made possible with poor internal control.

Steps are being considered, in consultation with DND Sec. Voltaire Gazmin, to counter these opaque practices one of which is to standardize MOOE and CO requirements of military camps and make this information available to them.

He said this is similar to what has been done in the case of the Philippine National Police (PNP), where the MOOE has been allocated on a police-per-capita basis of P1,000 per month. Already, the MOOE of agencies attached to the AFP General Headquarters such as the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), Presidential Security Group (PSG) and AFP Medical Center are being released directly to them.

Abad said “conversion” and “certification” practices had also thrived because, in the past, DND enjoyed the release of allotments even without submitting accountability reports.

One example of this is the recently-terminated Kalayaan Barangay Program, where only the names and amounts of projects — without supporting documents — are submitted.

To address this, technical visits have been made by DBM to verify budgetary accounts, validate the status of programs, projects and activities and instruct the agency’s finance group on how to comply with DBM reportorial requirements.

“This has already been emphasized to them: no report, no release,” Abad said, stressing that the DND and the Armed Forces will undergo agency performance review.

Further, he said additional notice of cash allocation (NCA) releases will only be made based on the DND’s cash program and bank report of NCA balances. In the past, additional NCAs had been released even without reports on the utilization and disbursement of funds. He added that accountability reports of all agencies, including the DND and AFP, will be published on the DBM website.

To further ensure that procurement will not be disadvantageous to the public coffers, DND and AFP, like all other agencies, are being encouraged to procure all their common supplies and equipment from the Procurement Service.

“In fact, we are considering the issuance of a directive requiring the purchase of these common supplies and equipment from the Procurement Service,” he said.

Purchasing these common supplies and equipment from the Procurement Service, he said, will be advantageous because 1) the agencies will not need to go through bidding and 2) the supplies and equipment can be purchased at much lower cost, given the Procurement Service’s market power.

Abad emphasized that “national security” could not be used as a generalized reason to sidestep the Aquino government’s transparency and accountability thrust.

“Even the military has to follow standards of daylight. Unless there are valid national security concerns, there will be no special treatment when it comes to the prudent and judicious management of the people’s funds,” he stressed. (PNA/PIA V Release)

DPWH starts nationwide anti-overloading mobile operation

MANILA, (PIA) — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) started Tuesday its nationwide anti-truck overloading mobile operation (ATOME), according to Secretary Rogelio L. Singson.

Secretary Singson personally monitored the ATOME Operation in Capulong Street along Road 10 in Tondo, Manila.

The daily first shift of the DPWH ATOME Operation starts from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and the second shift from 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.

Singson said: "We are not doing this just for the collection of penalty fees. We are doing this to protect and preserve our national roads and bridges to assure public safety from damages brought about by overloaded trucks."

Among the identified weighing stations are the Moriones Gate, Zaragosa Gate and Capulong near C-2 in North Harbor; 25th Street, 8th Street and 2nd Street in South Harbor in Manila; MIA Road corner Coastal Road in Paranaque City; Quirino Avenue-Las Pinas City; Manila South Road Viaduct-Mintinlupa City;

Sumulong/Marcos Highway; Ortigas Extension' Commonwealth Avenue-Quezon City; San Jose-Novaliches Road (Quirino Highway)-Caloocan City; and MacArthur Highway- Valenzuela City.
In Metro Manila alone, the DPWH has deployed 13 ATOME teams that are tasked to check overloading and apprehend violators.

The ATOME teams are composed of DPWH engineers deputized by the Land Transportation Office (LTO), DPWH maintenance crew and representatives from the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

If found overloaded, the LTO-deputized DPWH enforcers will confiscate the driver's license and plate number of the vehicle and will issue a Temporary Operators Permit (TOP) with a 24-hour validity. (PNA/PIA V Release)

Japanese investors urged to engage in PHL's power projects

MANILA, (PIA) — Energy Secretary Jose Rene D. Almendras on Thursday urged investors to pursue energy projects in the Philippines as part of the country’s roadshow of public-private partnership (PPP) program in Japan.

Almendras announced to Japanese investors in the 29th Joint Meeting of the Japan-Philippines Economic Cooperation Committees (JPECC), the Philippines-Japan Economic Cooperation Committees (PhilJEC) and the Japanese Investors Seminar 2011 that the current economic condition of the country presents a good opportunity for Japanese investors to explore the energy sector portfolio of the Philippines.

Almendras is in Tokyo with other economic managers namely Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima, Trade Secretary Gregory L. Domingo and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Deputy Governor Diwa C. Guinigundo.

A total of $ 40.6 billion (P1.827.19 trillion) worth of energy projects is targeted by the government until 2030.

Almendras stressed that the investors will have a favorable market in the Philippines because of the growing demand for power.

International Monetary Fund and other financial institutions earlier announced that the country’s GDP is set to grow by five percent this year and will continue to have a strong economy therefore more energy requirement is needed.

"It is estimated that the population will be 95 million this year which translates to a big market for electricity and other power related projects. We therefore encourage the Japanese companies to present new projects to serve the growing needs of the country," Almendras said.

In his presentation, Almendras announced that Luzon will be needing 11,900 megawatts (MW), Visayas about 2,150 MW, and Mindanao around 2,500 MW until 2030.

Aside from the power sector, Almendras also identified investment opportunities in the exploration of oil, gas, coal, renewable energies and alternative fuels.

He stressed the importance of the exploration of oil and gas to address the country’s problems in energy security, self-sufficiency and climate change impacts.

The country has a mean total resource of 8,895 billion barrels of oil equivalent and has an estimated available supply of 28,531 billion cubic feet of gas and 3,629 billion barrels of oil. There are currently 12 petroleum exploration contract areas open for investors.

Investors are also encouraged to participate in the establishment of LNG terminals in Southern Mindanao and Sarangani as well as a strategic infrastructure in Luzon to help the government push for natural gas as a transition fuel for power.

The government is also offering three coal contracts for exploration.

Almendras also encouraged investors to initiate renewable energy projects or farm in to existing geothermal and hydropower projects.

In addition, the government is also looking at possible partnerships with international investors to help us promote and learn new ways in energy conservation, he added.

It can be noted that Japan, through its Energy Conservation Center, established the Asian Energy Efficiency and Conservation Collaboration Center in 2007 to promote energy conservation in Asian countries. (PNA/PIA V Release)

DILG chief asks barangay officials to support national anti-drug campaign

MANILA, (PIA) — Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo on Wednesday asked local government units (LGUs), particularly the barangays, to support the government’s anti-drug campaign.

Robredo also warned his office would impose sanctions against barangay officials who would refuse to act as witnesses in the government’s anti-drug campaign, particularly in the implementation of search or arrest warrants against known drug pushers and drug dens in their areas.

The DILG chief issued the warning amid reports coming from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) that some village officials in Metro Manila refuse to act as witnesses in their anti-drug drive.

Robredo cited Section 60 of the Local Government Code of 1991 that states that the DILG Secretary can discipline, suspend or remove from office any local government official, including barangay officials, for dereliction of duty.

During a consultative meeting with the local peace and order council of Quezon City led by Mayor Herbert Bautista the other day, Director Wilkins Villanueva told the DILG chief of their predicament with barangay captains in their anti-drug campaign.

“It is the duty of barangay officials to act as witnesses in the implementation of all our search warrants, especially in known drug dens and tianggehans. But some of them refuse to go with us, afraid of the people who are subject of the warrants. In other occasions, the subjects of the warrant are their relatives,” Villanueva said.

In response, the DILG chief said one of the duties and functions of the barangay officials was to “enforce all laws and ordinances which are applicable within their areas and perform duties and functions that are prescribed by law” for the maintenance of peace and order.

Robredo assured Villanueva that the DILG would issue a corresponding memorandum to all barangay officials next week to remind them that it is part of their obligation to help and assist government law enforcement authorities perform their functions and duties.

The DILG chief said it is the priority of President Benigno Aquino III to address the growing illegal drug problem in the country.

Three weeks ago, Robredo said, the DILG sent a team to the PDEA office to discuss improved coordination between the DILG, the PDEA and local chief executives in the implementation of the government’s anti-drug campaign. (PNA/PIA V Release)