LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – Various agencies and offices in Pangasinan have assured support to bringing the National Tokhang Advocacy Coalition (NCTAC), a sub-component of the National Coalition of Sectoral Force Multipliers and Advocacy Support Groups, at the forefront of sustaining peace and order efforts, particularly on the war against drugs, leading to a drug-free Pangasinan.
Police Chief Inspector Norman Florentino, police community relations chief, said during a coordinating conference held recently at the Capitol Resort Hotel here that the support from various agencies an offices is a booster shot to PNP’s law enforcement and community relations programs in localities, particularly the double barrel program or the anti-illegal drugs campaign program.
NCTAC – led by local government executives – is envisioned to take the lead in the formulation and implementation of programs that will further strengthen and sustain the gains and successes of PNP’s anti-criminality programs and community empowerment activities.
Pangasinan PPO sought help to rev up the NCTAC which shall also ensure transparency and efficiency of law enforcement agencies in the conduct of interdictions against suspected drug pushers and drug dens.
Enjoining for the NCTAC are provincial governors, cities / municipalities mayors and barangay captains; barangay-based anti-crime advisory councils and non-government organizations; PNP regional directors, provincial directors and chief of police; and anti-illegal drugs convenors.
“The NCTAC shall also provide human and logistics support needed in the conduct of advocacy activities, information operations and media relations; construction of reformation centers in provincial and regional offices; and provision of livelihood, financial and educational assistance to surrendered drug pushers,” Florentino said.
As of August 28, the PNP Pangasinan reported that out of the 1,364 barangays in Pangasinan, 1,201 have been cleared from illegal drugs while 70 is still uncleared.
Of the 22,078 drug personalities in the province, 20,263 have surrendered, the PNP reports revealed.
Underscoring the provincial government’s active engagement to the war against illegal drugs, Provincial Administrator Nimrod Camba bared that Governor Amado I. Espino, III shall soon lead the ribbon-cutting of the Provincial Drug Rehabilitation Center in Burgos built in a 2-hectare lot donated to the province by the late former Mayor Demetrio Cabiles.
The provincial drug rehab as a reformation center will accommodate moderately-affected drug users.
“In fact, the provincial government has been cited by the PNP for its all-out support to the project double barrel – which signifies the province’s commitment to Presidents Rodrigo Duterte’s flagship advocacy to eradicate drug menace,” Camba said.
Since the administration of former Pangasinan governor and now 5th district Representative Amado T. Espino, Jr., the Provincial Anti-Drugs Abuse Council has been activated, along with the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council which gained shot in the arm during the stint of Governor ‘Pogi’ Espino as provincial president of the Liga ng mga Barangay.
Aside from NTAC, the Pangasinan PNP also seeks support to reinforce four other advocacies which include: National Coalition of Information Technology (IT) Advocates for Change (NCITAC); Anti Crisis and Community Emergency Response Team (ACCERT); Association of Chiefs of Police of the Philippines Inc. – Accredited NGOs (ACPPIAN); Foreign National Keeper Network (FNKN).
The five advocacies by the PNP seeks are envisioned to make the province of Pangasinan drug-free (NTAC), cyber safe (NCITAC), disaster prepared (ACCERT), and tourist safe (FNKN), and to establish police and community partnership.
By Dexter A. See