By Chito Chavez
The Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) on Sunday stressed that its Philippine Anti-illegal Drugs Strategy (PADS) priorities will be further enhanced and sustained in support of the President’s all-out war against illegal drugs in the country.
Dangerous Drugs Board (Dangerous Drugs Board Facebook / MANILA BULLETIN)
This was emphasized after DDB chairman Catalino Cuy gained a fresh mandate with the President reappointing him to the top DDB post.
With Cuy at the helm, the DDB has worked towards the institutionalization of the PADS.
Executive Order No. 66, Series of 2018 was signed by the President directing all government agencies including Government Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCCs) and State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) to implement the PADS in accordance with their respective mandates.
DDB Executive Director Earl P. Saavedra has expressed full support “to the DDB Secretariat to its current Chairperson’’.
“Secretary Cuy stayed true to his commitment to push for a comprehensive and balanced strategy against illegal drugs which is embodied in PADS. His reappointment assures us that the programs laid out will be pursued using the whole of nation approach in addressing the country’s drug problem,” Saavedra said.
Among the major priorities of the DDB for the year is the release of the results of the Nationwide Survey on the Nature and Extent of the Drug Abuse Problem in the Country and the establishment of an integrated monitoring and reporting mechanism of the implementation of drug-related programs and activities to track the progress and successes of the government’s drug abuse prevention and control agenda.
President Duterte signed Cuy’s reappointment papers on January 21, 2020 with the DDB receiving his reappointment papers last January 23.
Cuy was first appointed at the DDB in January 2018 serving the remainder of the term of his predecessor.