LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – The provincial board headed by Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Z. Calimlim, Jr. has unanimously approved Provincial Resolution No. 1140-2017 entitled “Commending the Municipality of Alcala For Having Been Declared As A Drug-Free Town In The Province Of Pangasinan.”
Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member Clemente Arboleda, Jr. who authored the resolution said that official reports from the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Phil. Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) stated that his hometown has been included among the towns/city listed as drug-free communities.
Stressing the importance of being dubbed as “drug-free community,” Arboleda pointed out that there were several towns and city in the province that were earlier declared as drug-free areas.
At random, Arboleda mentioned that aside from Alcala the following towns and city were identified as drug-free: Mabini, Agno, Anda, Alaminos City, Bolinao, Bani, Dasol, Mapandan, Malasiqui, Sto. Tomas, Laoac, Natividad and San Nicolas.
Meanwhile, Vice Governor Calimlim said that the provincial board will have to confer first with the PNP and PDEA before crafting a resolution that will also commend all the mentioned towns and city in the coming days. Laoac was commended earlier by the provincial board.
As such, all members who were present during the regular session on November 20 unanimously agreed with the vice governor.
It can be recalled that the provincial government under the stewardship of Gov. Amado I. Espino III is continuously exerting all efforts to cooperate with the law enforcement agencies in finding solutions to the societal menace.
Several undertakings were conducted to include the provision of programs and projects for drug surrenderers specifically on livelihood. Special projects were also launched to assist them in undergoing rehabilitation process. The construction and operation of the Pangasinan Drug Rehab Center located in Burgos town which is a huge project is nearing completion.
In addition to this, Gov. Espino also launched innovative sports program which is intended not only for physical activity but a venue where Pangasinense youth and old alike can productively convert their leisure time into sports rather than vices.
By Dexter A. See