Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Wednesday, July 13 said he will continue to push for the passage into law of a Magna Carta for the officers and personnel of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
Go said the eradication of illegal drugs in the country is one of the serious issues faced by the government, and that is why the PDEA has a crucial role in the government’s anti-narcotics drive.
The senator said the war on drugs and criminality was at the forefront of former president Rodrigo Duterte’s administration, citing how the previous government successfully safeguarded the Filipino people, especially the youth froom the perilous effects of illegal drugs.
“Kaya naman mahalaga rin para sa ating mga taga-gobyerno na bigyan natin ng kahalagahan ang ating mga anti-drug personnel na walang humpay na nakikipagsapalaran upang matulungan ang bansa natin na masugpo ang droga. Ibigay natin kung anong nararapat para sa kanila (That’s why it’s important for our government to recognize the importance of our anti-drug personnel that until now continues to play a key role in helping the nation combat illegal drugs. Let us give the benefits due them),” he urged.
The proposed Magna Carta seeks to recognize the exceptional contributions of PDEA officers and personnel who protect the country even as their jobs constantly put them at risk of injury and other serious incidents.
If passed into law, PDEA employees can benefit from acceptable living and working conditions, and better terms of employment and career opportunities through a more thorough and comprehensive career development program, with proper training to enhance their knowledge, competence, transparency, respect for human dignity and commitment to service.
“The least that the government can provide for our uniformed personnel in the PDEA and their families is to give them an assurance that the government appreciates the work that they do, and hopes for a bright and safe future for them and their families,” Go emphasized.
“They have been the lead agency in the Duterte Administration’s anti-drug campaign. Without them, former president Duterte might not have been successful. To give them the recognition they truly deserve, let us work on providing them better compensation packages and benefits,” he further said.