Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Ray Villafuerte urged on Sunday local officials to take the Duterte administration’s war against drugs to their communities by setting up drug rehabilitation facilities and encouraging drug users to seek help.
Villafuerte, vice chairperson of the House committees on local government and on national defense, said local government units must intensify anti-drug efforts.
“The rehabilitation of drug users is integral to the campaign to wipe out our country of narco traffickers and illicit drugs,” he said.
“Our local officials can do their share in helping ensure the success of this campaign as they are familiar with the people in their communities and can directly communicate with them,” Villafuerte added.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Department of Budget and Management earlier issued a joint memorandum circular updating the guidelines on the appropriation and use of the 20 percent Internal Revenue Allotment set aside for the development projects of the local governments.
Under DILG-DBM Joint Memorandum Circular 2017-1, “Special Drug Education Centers,” and “Drug Treatment/Rehabilitation Centers,” were added to the list of allowable social development projects chargeable against the IRA funds.
In Camarines Sur, Villafuerte said the provincial government plans to put up an P800-million drug rehabilitation facility.
He called on the governors and mayors to tap barangay health workers in the war against drugs, and train and equip them with the direct knowledge to treat outpatient drug dependents.