The Office of the President (OP) has commended the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for its 100 percent resolution rate of public complaints and grievances on acts of red tape lodged through the 8888 Citizens’ Complaint Center.

The 8888 Citizens’ Complaint Center serves as a reporting mechanism where the general public can air their concerns on alleged corrupt practices against government agencies, officials and employees, as defined under Republic Act 9485, otherwise known as The Anti-Red Tape Act (ARTA) of 2007, as amended by Republic Act No. 11032 or “An Act Promoting Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Delivery of Government Services”.
The PDEA received a letter from Director Bernadette Casinabe, head of the 8888 Citizens’ Complaint Center, that acknowledged the efforts of the agency in ensuring that all public concerns referred were promptly acted upon.
From the period of January 1, 2022 to November 30, 2022, 24 citizens’ concerns were referred to PDEA which were all "addressed effectively and efficiently" within the 72-hour prescribed period, the agency said in a statement Thursday night, Dec 29.
Besides the commendation, the low turnout in complaints was a good yardstick to gauge the integrity and credibility of PDEA as seen by the public eye, the PDEA noted.
“The agency continues to strive for excellence and competence as front liner in the national anti-drug campaign,’’ it said.
“PDEA’s 100 percent complaint compliance rate started during the time of former Director General Wilkins M. Villanueva and continued until the assumption of Director General Moro Virgilio Lazo,’’ it added.