Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 31) – The Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) on Wednesday vowed to review the funding provision of the proposed Anti-Drug Abuse Council (ADAC) law after the Department of Finance (DOF) questioned it.
If passed into law, the measure would mandate local governments to allot 2% of their annual funding for anti-illegal drug programs, activities, and operations.
It also seeks to create a “legal framework” for the operation in all provinces, cities, and municipalities of councils that will “formulate plans and implement and monitor anti-drug abuse programs and activities at the grassroots.”
In a joint hearing of the Senate committees on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, Local Government, and Finance, DOF legislative liaison specialist Jeanne Guinto said the budget “may no longer be necessary.”
She cited Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2018-01 of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and DDB, allocating a “substantial” amount for anti-drug programs.
“Under the Local Government Code, LGUs (local government units) are also mandated to provide funds for drug-related activities,” she added.
But the DDB pointed out the joint directive was only implemented “in absence of the ADAC law.”
“Ang pinanggalingan po ng DILG at DDB ay … yung (Republic Act) 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, na talagang substantial amount lang po ang ia-allot for the use of our anti-drug abuse councils,” DDB Undersecretary Earl Saavedra told senators.
[Translation: The DILG and the DDB’s basis was Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, which only states that a substantial amount will be allotted for the use of our anti-drug abuse councils.]
Local officials have been questioning that substantial amount provision, which is why lawmakers need to institutionalize the 2% funding, Saavedra said.
“Para maklaro ‘yung vision ng 2%… technical review, Mr. Chair, to further clarify,” he added.
[Translation: So that the vision of the 2% can be clarified, we will conduct a technical review, Mr. Chair, to further clarify.]
Meanwhile, the League of Provinces of the Philippines expressed concern that some areas may not be able to afford the proposed allocation.
Senator Bato Dela Rosa, who heads the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, ordered the DILG to conduct further consultations with LGUs.
