Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 10) — Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Barbers has filed a bill seeking to mandate incineration facilities to dispose of illegal drugs for free to prevent them from being stolen and recycled.
Under House Bill 9668 or the proposed Prompt Dangerous Drugs Destruction Act of 2023, an incineration or crematorium facility that would render free services would be granted a 10% tax credit but not exceeding ₱50,000 of the taxable gross income for two years.
“Failure or refusal to render free destruction of any seized illegal drugs by the concerned facilities would be a ground for the suspension, revocation, or non-renewal of license or permit to operate said business/es,” Barbers said in a statement on Sunday.
Under the bill, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) will designate the incineration facility where the drug destruction process will take place. The facility must be nearest to the court that had jurisdiction over the case or where the illegal drugs were seized.
The destruction of the illegal drug will be witnessed by PDEA personnel, an elected public official, a representative from the National Prosecution Service, a representative from the media, and a representative from civil society groups.
In March, Barbers said an asset of the Philippine National Police and PDEA revealed that up to 70% of illegal drugs seized were given as rewards to informants after a successful law enforcement operation.
