CAMP BGEN OSCAR M. FLORENDO, La Union -- The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Region 1 conferred a letter of commendation declaring the Police Regional Office 1 (PRO1) Regional Headquarters as a drug-free workplace on Monday, May 22, here.
PDEA Region 1 Director Joel B. Plaza, who awarded the letter of commendation during the regular flag-raising ceremony at the PRO 1 Grandstand, said the commendation was pursuant to a DDB Board Regulation No. 7, Series of 2003.
Director Plaza extended his gratitude to the men and women of PRO 1 as he emphasized the importance of establishing a drug-free workplace.
“Remember, it is not only the drug users exposed to the injury and deterioration of illegal drugs but everyone around them. This is the risk that the Drug-free Workplace Program was able to diminish,” said Plaza.
“As purveyors of truth and justice, it is vital that our reputation remain untainted. The Drug-free Workplace Program significantly communicates to all that we are serious about achieving a drug-resistant country. That starts within our ranks so that our integrity can withstand every turmoil and criticism thrown at our face,” he added.
The conferment of PRO 1 RHQ as a Drug-free Workplace was highlighted by the unveiling of the Drug-free Workplace Marker facilitated by Director Plaza together with the Officer-in-Charge of the Region 1 Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Director Agnes A. De Leon; Dr. Rodolfo Antonio M. Albornoz, the DOH Region 1 assistant regional director; and Police Brigadier General John C. Chua, the PRO 1 regional director.
Based on the record, a total of 1,384 PNP personnel assigned at the Regional Headquarters and Regional Mobile Force Battalion 1 personnel had undergone drug tests which all yielded negative results. The drug test was facilitated by the Regional Forensic Unit 1.
Chua spearheaded the program in relation to the DILG’s Buhay ay Ingatan, Droga AY Ayawan (BIDA) Program.