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BY RUBY P. SILUBRICO
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Thursday, January 19, 2017
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ILOILO City – Over 500 youth leaders in Iloilo province attended a summit on illegal drugs yesterday at the University of the Philippines Visayas campus in Molo district.
Organized by the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) and Provincial Advisory Council (PAC), the summit rallied young Ilonggos to help the government’s campaign against illegal drugs.
Young people were most susceptible to illegal drugs, according to Senior Superintendent Harold Tuzon, IPPO director.
“We discussed with them the adverse effects of illegal drugs to their health. We also informed them of the legal consequences of drug trafficking and use,” added Tuzon.
In a speech August last year, President Rodrigo Duterte expressed concern over the illegal drug problem in Iloilo.
When he was campaigning for president in Iloilo, he said, people were “almost [desperately]” asking help from him, saying, “Mayor, ang droga.”
“Just pray. Just pray that I will win, and maybe, in the fullness of God’s time, I would take care of this problem,” he telling them.
One of the supporters of yesterday’s summit was the youthful mayor of New Lucena town, Christian Sorongon.
“We wanted to empower the youth. They’re expected to share what they learned from the summit to their constituents,” said Sorongon who, at 25, is one of the youngest mayors in Iloilo province.
PAC chairman Atty. Raul Anlocotan said the youths’ response to their summit invitation was overwhelming.
“We did not expect they would be so much interested,” he said.
Summit participants came from 42 towns and the component city of Passi, according to IPPO spokesperson Chief inspector Aron Palomo.
“They were very eager to learn everything about illegal drugs,” he said.
The summit theme was Pamatan-on Nagahugpong Kontra Droga (Youths Unite Against Illegal Drugs).
According to Senior Superintendent Christopher Tambungan, regional director for operations of the Police Regional Office 6, the summit should send a strong message to the public and those involved in illegal drugs.
The campaign needs the support of everybody, he stressed./PN
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