DILG, PDEA team up to boost 'drug-free workplace' in Cordillera
By Chito Chavez

The Department of the Interior and Local Government in Cordillera Administrative Region (DILG-CAR) has enhanced its “drug-free workplace (DFW)’’ policy target with its partnership with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
DILG-CAR Regional Director Araceli A. San Jose and PDEA-CAR Regional Director Laurefel P. Gabales recently signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) that will ‘’operationalize’’ the department’s DFW policy and explore avenues of collaboration that will “intensify the two agencies’ campaign on promoting drug-free local government units (LGUs) in the Cordilleras.’’
Earlier, the DILG-CAR updated its DFW policy in compliance with the relevant government policies and issuances to scale up its anti-illegal drugs programs in the DILG-CAR’s regional, provincial, city, and municipal offices.
“This new partnership engages the assistance of PDEA-CAR in the provision of anti-illegal drugs-related programs and services such as the conduct of mandatory and random drug testing and the related confirmatory tests for all DILG-CAR personnel including those engaged in contract of service and job order basis,’’ the DILG-CAR stated.
Further, the DILG-CAR emphasized that the MOA encourages stronger collaboration between the two agencies in organizing regular substance abuse awareness and prevention programs or seminars.
San Jose pointed out that the department’s pursuit of promoting drug-free workplaces in all local government units in the Cordilleras, the core values must emanate foremost from the DILG-CAR Regional Office.
“It must start from us. We must be exemplars of a drug-free workplace so that we can inspire and enjoin our LGUs to be drug-free and advocate for the same. Through this partnership with PDEA-CAR, we are optimistic that we are taking a positive step towards promoting a drug-free and healthy Cordillera,” San Jose said.
Gabales also expressed appreciation to the DILG-CAR’s initiative to establish a drug-free workplace and pledged the PDEA-CAR’s commitment in working with the department in implementing broader anti-illegal drug abuse awareness and prevention information campaigns throughout the region.