THE Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (Icad) and the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) launched the National Government's “Rehabinasyon” program at the lobby of Government Center in Bacolod City on March 10.
“Rehabinasyon,” a portmanteau of the words “rehabilitation” and “nation,” is the Philippine government’s all-encompassing campaign against illegal drugs.
The launching was led by Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary Ramon Cualoping III; Assistant Secretary Aurora Ignacio, the focal person in the campaign against illegal drugs; Department of Interior and Local Government Director Leo Trovela; Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director Elyvenson Plaza; PDEA-Western Visayas Director Wardley Getalla; and Mayor Evelio Leonardia.
Also present were Senior Superintendent Francisco Ebreo, officer-in-charge of Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), barangay officials, representatives from Department of Education (DepEd) and Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD).
Cualoping said Rehabinasyon operates under the auspices of the Icad, which itself is established by Executive Order 15 signed by President Rodrigo Duterte.
He said the Icad, chaired by the PDEA, is composed of 42 member-agencies, each having a specific role in the fight against illegal drugs.
The PCOO has the role of packaging and marketing this campaign into a cohesive and streamlined advocacy.
“Rehabinasyon tells the story of the war on drugs on different perspectives. As far as we know, what’s being seen on TV, what’s being heard or read on the papers and online news are mostly about enforcement, but in fact, the actual things happening on the grounds, there are a lot of efforts from various agencies in terms of advocacy. So, Rehabinasyon addresses that gap,” Cualoping said.
He said Rehabinasyon has three message buckets such as #RealNumbers, #RealSolutions, and #RealStories.
Cualoping said that in “Real Numbers,” information is provided by most reputable sources if facts that will help combat fake and alternatives.
The “Real Solution” would emphasize the various government programs headed by different government agencies, while “Real Stories” are the “horrors and the success stories” of those who have been into illegal drugs, and those who have been rehabilitated, he added.
Rehabinasyon was previously launched in the cities of Iloilo, Tacloban, and Davao.
For his part, Leonardia said the City is happy that the Icad and the PCOO have chosen Bacolod as a venue for Rehabinasyon.
He said Rehabinasyon aims to communicate to the public the harmonized programs of different government agencies, debunk alternative truths, and showcase the results and benefits of the government’s effort to fight the drug menace.
“The City Government has been strongly supportive of President Duterte’s anti-illegal drug campaign. We have warmly embraced and faithfully followed policies, programs, projects and activities mandated by the national government agencies fighting the war against drugs,” he added.
The mayor noted that the City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (Cadac) has been very active and enthusiastic in performing its role and duties. It also aligned its composition, structures, and thrusts with that of the Icad.
Leonardia said the City Health Office has ably spearheaded the implementation of the Department of Health’s drug rehabilitation program, especially the community-based rehabilitation program.
“However, there are still much to be done in order that we can chase drug suppliers and pushers from our city, rehabilitate drug users so that they will become productive members of our society again, and persuade Bacoleños to avoid the use of illegal drugs,” he said.
