Top officials of the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) have participated in the recent 15th ASEAN Drug Monitoring Network (ADMN) which was aimed at assisting anti-narcotics units to monitor and gather pertinent data on the drug abuse circumstances in the region.
DDB Deputy Executive Director for Operations Maria Belen Angelita V. Matibag graced the event as the ‘National Focal Point and Head of Delegation’ that tackled issues on the drug situation and trends, capacity building initiatives, policy and research, international cooperation, and challenges that the country faces.
In a statement, the DDB explained that the ADMN continuously facilitates cooperation among the ASEAN member states in the areas of technical development and capacity building for data collection, sharing for drug control strategies and best practices.
It added that the meeting also serves as an early warning mechanism to the ASEAN member states whenever illicit drugs and drug trends are emerging in the region.
Earlier, Colombo Plan Drug Advisory Programme (CPDAP) Director Oranooch “Nut’ Sungkhawanna and other members of the group paid a courtesy visit to DDB chairman Catalino S. Cuy and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director General Virgilio Moro Lazo.
The Colombo Plan is a regional intergovernmental organization instituted for the furtherance of the economic and social development of its member nations.
“Its programs include drug advisory, gender affairs, capacity building, environment and climate change, and global credentialing and certification. Currently, the Colombo Plan has a total of 28 members including the Philippines in Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Asia Pacific,’’ the DDB explained.