The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Regional Office 9 is adopting the “Whole-of-Nation” approach in waging war on illegal drugs in Zamboanga City, according to Agent Jury G. Rocamora.

Agent Rocamora told the press briefing yesterday that the holistic approach focuses on supply reduction, demand reduction and harm reduction.

Under the supply reduction, he said the PDEA9 agents together with their counterparts from the Zamboanga City Police Office had conducted series of operations that resulted in the confiscation of more than 10 kilos of shabu with estimated street value of P68 million from January 2019 to the present.

In addition, PDEA is also giving out rewards to both its agents and the police in terms of huge drugs confiscated.

For demand reduction, Rocamora said they hope the Sangguniang Panlungsod could pass the soonest time possible the proposed ordinances on “drug-free workplace for private and public sectors” with Councilors Josephine Pareja and John Dalipe as authors.

Councilor Pareja’s proposed ordinance (for private sector) mandates random drug testing in all business establishments in Zamboanga City employing 10 or more employees and establishing the same as requirement in acquisition and renewal of business permits.

Councilor Dalipe’s proposed ordinance (for public sector) mandates the conduct of authorized drug testing by all offices of the city government of Zamboanga, including elective local officials, appointive local officers and the 98 barangays.

“We hope these ordinances can be passed very soon so we can address holistically the drug situation in Zamboanga City, Rocamora stressed.-(Vic Larato)