Deretsahan
Winning the war
By Bebot Villar
I AM happy to note that our mayors in Pangasinan like Mayor Arthur F. Celeste of Alaminos City and Mayor Ricardo M. Camacho of Bayambang are active in promoting their respective anti-illegal drug campaigns. Dagupan City Mayor Belen Fernandez, meanwhile, continues to be the model ng kanyang mga kapwa mayors because of her successful programs in her city’s campaign.
Sa Alaminos City, isang anti-drug activity ang nakatakdang gawin soon, in coordination with the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB). It initiated a district-wide anti-drug event kung kaya’t mas marami ang maaabot ng ating campaign kontra-droga.
There are many others who are doing just as well although hindi lang napa-published. I hope they will inspire mayors in other provinces upang magkatulungan nang husto sa ating kampanya.
It is important that our mayors are seen to be actively involved in the drug abuse campaign nang sa ganun ay makita ng kanilang constituents ang tunay nilang malasakit especially for the youth who are vulnerable. I am sure it’s a matter of time before local leaders begin showing some results para sa darating na election.
Inumpisahan na ni Gov. Amado Espino through the Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC) ang activation ng mga Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC) kaya’t funding na lang ang kailangan to ensure the success of their campaigns.
Masigasig din naman at very cooperative ang ating PNP sa Pangasinan and PDEA Region 1 which we should take advantage of to help us stop drug peddling in our barangays. Kung magtutulong-tulong tayong lahat, mas magiging mabilis at epektibo ang ating mga programa at balakin para sa ating bayan.
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Finally, the long-awaited inauguration of the Dagupan City Drug Rehabilitation Center will be held on February 26.
It has taken almost 5 years to complete it mula noong ng groundbreaking in 2011.
We are very happy about this development kasi once the facility becomes fully operational, it will be able to serve not only our provincemates but also those from nearby provinces.
At dahil nandito na mismo sa probinsya, those who are seeking treatment will no longer have to spend much kung pupunta pa sila sa Metro Manila para magpa-rehab.
At sana rin, ma-encourage na ang maraming mga magulang na i-report ang kanilang mga mahal sa buhay na addict sa paggamit ng mga ipinagbabawal na gamot at ipa-rehabilitate.
We know that most merely tolerated the habits of a family member kasi malalayo ang rehab centers and they have to spend for the relocation.
As we have committed to Mayor Belen Fernandez, ang Dangerous Drugs Board na ating pinamumunuan will continue to support the city’s efforts in drug abuse prevention and control including the drug rehabilitation center. We believe that through this treatment and rehabilitation center, Pangasinan will be able to restore the productive lives of many that have fallen prey to drug dependence.
Sana, the day will come na wala na tayong kailangan pang i-rehab na biktima ng drug abuse. This can only happen kapag tuluyan na nating napuksa ang illegal drug trafficking sa pamamagitan ng ating walang humpay na cooperation sa campaign among our local governments and law enforcement agencies in the war vs illegal drugs.
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Meanwhile, I wish to congratulate ang city government of Dagupan headed by Mayor Belen Fernandez for being this year’s Gawad Kalasag awardee.
Napakahalaga ng award na ito not only because it came from the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council of Region 1, but because it is a recognition that the city government puts premium on the safety of its residents during calamities.
The City of Dagupan and Mayor Fernandez deserve the award. I have seen them work hard in strengthening their capability to prepare and respond to any calamity to make sure that Dagupenos are sheltered from harm.
At ang pinag-uusapan dito ay hindi lamang ang bilang ng kanilang mga kagamitan kung di ang mga isinagawang mga programs upang mabawasan ang pagbabaha sa lungsod.
Maliban sa dredging ng Pantal River, hinukay din nila ang mga esterong maaaring maging daluyan ng tubig-baha patungo sa Lingayen Gulf. Itinaas na rin ang mga kalsada sa mga bahaing lugar sa lungsod. Kaya naman kung noon, ang flash floods ay matagal bago humupa, ngayon, minuto na lang.
Sa madaling salita, comprehensive kasi ang ang disaster risk reduction and management program ng Dagupan kaya winner talaga!
Sana magpatuloy itong isang magandang halimbawa para sa ibang mga bayan at lungsod in the area of disaster risk reduction and management.
Again, congratulations!
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