TANGUB CITY IS FIRST
DRUG-FREE CITY IN NORMIN
“Tangub City, drug-free!”
This was the resounding pronouncement of Tangubanons, as their City was officially declared drug-free on April 11, 2019, making it the first drug-cleared city in Region 10.
Held at Sinanduloy Cultural Center, Tangub City, Regional Oversight Committee on Dangerous Drugs (ROCDD) 10, composed of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Department of Health (DOH), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and Philippine National Police (PNP), awarded the plaque to the City.
“DILG is glad that we have local chief executives who are really committed and dedicated and at the same time, very supportive to the campaign of our government against illegal drugs,” DILG 10 Regional Director Arnel M. Agabe said.
He explained that the partners of national agencies in this mission are the local government units—not just the city or municipal governments but also the barangay governments.
PDEA 10 Regional Director Wilkins M. Villanueva supported the latter statement saying, “Napatunayan natin nga kapag nagsama-sama ang PNP, DILG, DOH at ang local government units at mga barangay, walang imposible [We have proven that when the PNP, DILG, DOH, together with the local government units and the barangays work together, nothing is impossible].”
Moreover, in a testimony given by Juliet Sanchez Alforque, wife of Misamis Occidental Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (MODTRC) graduate, she expressed her gratitude as her husband was able to avail free rehabilitation services, along with financial support among others, from the government.
“The free rehabilitation services really brought change in our lives and in our family. Back then, the priorities of my husband are gambling, his gang, and his vices; now, he has already time for his family,” she shared.
After undergoing and completing sessions in the rehab, Juliet proudly shared that her husband is now a recovery coach of Community-Based Rehabilitation Program (CBRP) in the various barangays of Tangub City.
Maintaining drug-free city
“The war on drugs is not yet over,” declared Misamis Occidental 2nd District Representative Henry S. Oaminal. “If we will not continue to unite and focus in this program, this problem will recur in our province.”
Despite the difficulty in attaining a drug-free city, RD Villanueva explained that it will be more challenging to maintain this recognition. With this, he urged the citizens to inform the local government unit should there be drug users suspected within the city.
Tangub City Mayor Philip T. Tan then posted a challenge to report alleged drug users within the city, and when proven true, Php2,000.00-worth of reward, among other benefits, will be given to informants.