KORONADAL, SOUTH COTABATO – The Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC) South Cotabato, successfully concluded its 3rd quarter press conference held at Viajera Dine and Café, City of Koronadal, which aimed at updating the media on the province’s ongoing anti-illegal drug initiatives and collaborative efforts of various agencies.
Princess Izra Griño, PADAC in-charge, emphasized that the press conference was organized to keep the public well-informed and strengthen multi-agency collaboration against illegal drugs in the province.
“The goal for organizing this quarterly presscon is to maintain transparency and ensure that the public is fully informed about the steps the provincial government and partner agencies are taking to address the drug problem in South Cotabato,” Griño stated.
The activity gathered representatives from government agencies and partner institutions to discuss their respective programs, ongoing counter-drug operations, community rehabilitation efforts, and multi-agency anti-drug strategies across the province.
Among those present were representatives from Balay Silangan represented by Eleonor Joselle Geonigo; the Office of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer (OPSWDO) represented by Princess Izra Griño; the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) South Cotabato represented by Thea Zorilla; the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) represented by IO II Helson T. Jover; the Philippine National Police (PNP) South Cotabato represented by PMAJ JS Pedrosa, and the South Cotabato Rehabilitation and Detention Center (SCRDC), Ret. PLTCOL Barney P. Condes; and the South Cotabato Capitol Press Corps.
The discussions were centered on the importance of sustained coordination among government agencies, local government units, and community stakeholders in implementing programs on drug prevention, rehabilitation, law enforcement, and monitoring.
Addressing the ongoing commitment of law enforcement, PMAJ JS Pedrosa of PNP South Cotabato reiterated that sustained collaboration across all sectors remains essential to achieving a drug-free province.
“When it comes to illegal drugs, the focus will always be there kasi malaki ang impact nito sa community natin as well as sa families natin,” Pedrosa said.
The press conference concluded with participating agencies reaffirming their commitment to continue working together in strengthening anti-illegal drug programs and ensuring that initiatives are effectively implemented for the benefit of the people of South Cotabato.
