By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson has signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) intensifying the agency’s anti-drug campaign in the province.

The signing of MOA on Thursday, September 14, on behalf of PDEA is Assistant Regional Director Marjorie Ballesteros.

The MOA is related to the sustainable implementation of Dangerous Drugs Board Regulation No. 4 series of 2021, together with the launching of the Adbokasiya Laban sa Iligal nga Droga Program.

The agreement aims to intensify the campaign and reduce drug affectation in the country through a culture of cooperation, respect for human dignity, holistic strategies, and a whole-of-nation approach to address the drug problem in the communities.

Under the agreement, Negros Occidental, through its Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council, shall conduct the Training of Trainers (TOT) by providing logistical and financial support for the implementation of the anti-drug program.

PDEA will take the lead in the conduct of TOT, by providing the resource persons and materials for training.

The three-day training aims to equip and educate the members of the Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council; the Philippine National Police; Department of the Interior and Local Government; city and municipal Anti-Drug Abuse Council focal persons; health and information officers of the barangay drug clearing program, an advocacy campaign, and drug-free workplace program of PDEA.

In his message, Lacson urged local government units in the province to take a stand against illegal drug use and promote healthy living.

“Education and activities like this one are key components of our drug prevention campaign,” Lacson said during the three-day training of the more than 120 participants.

Lacson added that he is confident that they will be able to mitigate the harm associated with illegal drugs and save more lives, by working together to address the root causes of illegal drug use./DGB, WDJ