Wednesday, August 20, 2008 Smallville establishments fight v. illegal drugs
MORE than 50 establishments operating at Smallville Complex have decided to form an association as protection from the reported proliferation of illegal drugs in the area.
Mayor Jerry P. Treñas said the establishment's association will be fully supported by the Iloilo City Government in its drive against illegal drugs and other harmful substances that mostly preyed on the youth.
Similarly, establishment owners also welcome the proposal for their employees to undergo drug test as a requirement for employment and allow enforcement authorities to conduct spot checks and enforce security.
In a meeting called for last week by the city chief executive, Smallville businessmen aired their concern over the alleged tag of the area as a drug haven. They said the complex is the current high-end fun and recreation center of the city.
Children of affluent families in Iloilo usually congregate in the area for fun, music, and to meet friends. The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) reported they are closely monitoring activities of some drug pushers who frequent the area.
The PDEA report showed that methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu, exctasy pills, and marijuana are the usual illegal drugs used in the fun complex.
Treñas assured high police visibility in the area and at least two checkpoints will be posted to secure customers. Business establishments will have their own security personnel.
The mayor said that Smallville and Boardwalk complex are private areas and the police could not simply put up a permanent structure there as a police detachment. But he asked community and business stakeholders to cooperate and maintain the area as a premier fun center of the city.
Landowner Roberto Pison assured his full cooperation and asked owners to immediately report the presence of suspicious characters and suspected drug pushers to the police. He also asked for additional electric lights to prevent lovers from congregating there and from illegal transactions happening along unlighted roads in the complex.
Councilor Ely Estante, chair of Task Force Adams Apple, assured the strict implementation of the curfew for minors, liquor ban, and anti-vagrancy law. (LCP)
