While the majority of Davao Oriental has been on a clean slate according to data from the Provincial Police for Barangay Drug Clearing Operations, with 6 out of the 11 towns of the province scoring 100% cleared, Governor Malanyaon on Friday, May 19, called for stepping up the province’s anti-drug campaign with an eye on catching the “big fish” during the 2nd Quarter Meeting of the Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council in Mati City.

According to Governor Malanyaon, it appears that it is mostly small drug offenders—pushers and users—who are being apprehended and detained. She urged the council to ramp up anti-drug operations in order to also focus on the major players who drive the spread of illegal narcotics in the province, which she identified as the problem’s cause.

“We must catch the big fishes also to put a stop to this dilemma,” Malanyaon remarked.

The Governor has strongly expressed her intention to clear Davao Oriental from the influence of illegal drugs making it drug-free by 2024. She envisions doing this by converging all sectors to work together and support measures designed to eradicate illegal drugs.

In support of Governor Malanyaon’s vision, PADAC Action Officer Brigadier General Leopoldo Imbang, Jr. (Ret) said the council would adopt the Whole-of-the-Nation Approach to handle Davao Oriental’s illicit drug problem. This would bring together the support of the local government units, local government agencies, national government agencies, the private sector, and other relevant sectors in the locality to develop the best feasible strategy for tackling the issue as a whole. ʙʏ ꜰʀᴀɴᴄɪꜱ ᴊᴀʏ ʙᴜᴛᴜʟᴀɴ | ᴘʜᴏᴛᴏꜱ ʙʏ ᴍᴀʀᴋ ᴏʟɪᴠᴇʀ ᴀʟᴠɪᴛᴇ