As a concrete gesture of his all-out support to the Anti-Illegal Drugs Campaign of the National Government, City Mayor John Geesnell “BABA” Yap led the drug testing among the City Mayor’s Office (CMO) staff last week. The tests which all yielded a NEGATIVE result will also be conducted randomly in all the city government offices.
Further, the campaign for Anti-Illegal Drugs kicked off last week with a motorcade from the Bohol Police Provincial Office (BPPO) going to the CPG Sports Complex — non-governmental organizations, religious groups, surrenderees from the different municipalities, criminology students, and the Chief of Police from the different municipalities joined the parade. Gov. Edgar Chatto started his message with a prayer for all those policemen who gave their life to rally against drugs.
Mayor Yap on one hand, drumbeat the importance of pro-active partnership from the grassroots up to the national level. The City Mayor cited the PAGLAUM Center, Tagbilaran City’s initiative to provide intervention program to Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL), which would also include rehabilitation program for former drug users. The Centre which already started its construction last month is targetedto be completed next year. Mayor Yap believes in the mandate of R.A. 9344, the Juvenile and Justice Welfare Act which promotes the welfare, best interests and restoration of the child, that the CICL’s rehabilitation and restoration should be given primary consideration. The PAGLAUM Centre will be equipped with a clinic, sports facilities and training rooms, all geared to empower these juveniles towards the road to recovery.
“I hope that our campaign against illegal drugs does not end here, let’s make it a part of our everyday life, for the future of our country is at stake.” Mayor Yap concluded.