TO QUEZON CITY ANTI-DRUG ABUSE ADVISORY COUNCIL
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), today, (Wednesday, December 9, 2020) turned-over the administration of Project Sagip Batang Solvent (PSBS) reformation center to the Quezon City Anti-Drug Abuse Advisory Council (QCADAAC) in Novaliches, Quezon City.
The activity was attended by Quezon City Mayor Josefina G. Belmonte who is also Chairperson of QCADAAC, PDEA Director General Wilkins M. Villanueva, PDEA officers and employees.
PSBS aims to provide systematic and reformative care, and reintegrated interventions like education, counselling, values formation, talent and skills development, livelihood and entrepreneurship training to children hooked on inhalant and solvent abuse
“There are already 108 children who have completed the reformation program, and PDEA like a proud parent is happy to see these children finished the full route of a 14-week reformation intervention program. All the hard work, time and resources spent made it all worth it,” Villanueva said.
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The program includes Home Life Skills and Education through the Alternative Learning System (ALS) designed to prepare the children to gain knowledge equivalent with formal education through the supervision of the Department of Education (DepED)-ALS Mobile Teachers, and assistance of the Quezon City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (ADAC) PSBS resident children took learning classes at least thrice a week at the center. Medical health and dental services are also extended to the children.
The PSBS facility was the pilot reformation center established through a Memorandum of Understanding entered into by PDEA in its Project “Sagip Batang Solvent” and the Local Government of Quezon City on March 25, 2019 in Clemente Subdivision, Barangay San Agustin, Novaliches, Quezon City, and later replicated in different cities and municipalities in the country.
Currently, the facility has 108 reached-out clients, aged 17 years old as the oldest and 9 as the youngest who were identified as solvent users and have undergone the assessment process.
“With the strong support of the local government of Quezon City in our fight against illegal drugs, and care for the youth’s future, PDEA is very confident that the PSBS center is in good hands and will continue to extend support to the street children deprived of basic necessities and guidance, and never return to the streets again,” the PDEA chief added.
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PDEA SIGNS MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT WITH LALAMOVE PHILIPPINES, INC. To suppress drug trafficking trend using delivery services and applications
To suppress the emerging trend of drug trafficking in the country using online door-to-door delivery services and applications, The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) signed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Lalamove Philippines, Incorporated and Lala App Philippines, Incorporated.
In a simple ceremony held today Tuesday, November 24, 2020 at 10:00 AM at the PDEA National Headquarters in Quezon City, the MOA was formally signed by PDEA Director General Wilkins M. Villanueva and Ms. April Dannah Majarocon, Managing Director of Lalamove Philippines, Incorporated.
“There are instances where accredited delivery service drivers have unknowingly became conduits of drug trade by accepting delivery orders from persons engaged in illegal drug trafficking”, Villanueva said.
Under the agreement, Lalamove Philippines, Inc. pledged to cooperate and coordinate closely with PDEA to report suspicious packages, and assist in its effort to eliminate illegal drug trade by implementing policies on drug-free workplace in its premises, as well as ensure that their accredited delivery service drivers are not involved in illegal drugs activities.
“The signing of the agreement should pave the way for other delivery service courier companies to be diligent and provide enough safeguards to prevent further transport of illegal drugs using online platforms,” the PDEA chief said. # # #
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PDEA SIGNS MOA WITH GRAB PHILIPPINES TO SUPPRESS DRUG TRAFFICKING USING TRANSPORT AND DELIVERY SERVICES
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with MYTAXI.PH, INCORPORATED, or popularly known as GRAB PHILIPPINES, to suppress the emerging trend of drug trafficking in the country using the transport and delivery services.
In a simple ceremony held today (Wednesday, December 9, 2020) at 10:00 AM at the PDEA National Headquarters, the MOA was formally signed by PDEA Director General Wilkins M. Villanueva and Ms. Sherielysse Bonifacio, Public Affairs Head of Grab Philippines.
Villanueva said, “The MOA aims to suppress the emerging trend of drug trafficking in the country as there are instances where accredited Transport Network Vehicle Services (TNVS) and delivery service drivers have unknowingly became conduits of drug trade by accepting transport and delivery services from persons engaged in illegal drug trafficking”.
Grab Philippines says it supports PDEA in its campaign against illegal drugs in the country, by helping interdict and prevent the transport and delivery of packages containing illegal drugs and controlled precursors and essential chemicals, or CPECs, using TNVS and delivery services.
It will also assist PDEA in the investigation on reports on suspected delivery packages, design mechanisms where the items for delivery are properly recorded and visible to the driver, and implement policies for a drug-free workplace in its premises, as well as ensure that the accredited delivery service drivers are not involved in illegal drug activities.
“The signing of the agreement is an opportunity for PDEA and Grab Philippines to formally strengthen their partnership in the fight against illegal drug trafficking, and closer coordination and cooperation in the interception of illegal drugs”, the PDEA chief said.
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