THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Central Visayas vowed that nothing will change in the government’s war against illegal drugs despite it not being mentioned in the State of the Nation Address (Sona) of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

Marcos delivered his first Sona on Monday, July 25, 2022, wherein he talked about tax reform, tourism, infrastructure projects, education and energy, among other things. He, however, did not mention the fight against criminality and drugs, as well as corruption.

PDEA-Central Visayas Director Levi Ortiz said Tuesday, July 26, that the war on drugs will continue to be implemented nationwide.

He said they will, in fact, strengthen the campaign against illegal drugs in Central Visayas.

"Kami man gud under mi sa Office of the President, kon unsay order kon unsay will and pleasure sa president, amo gyud na nga tumanon," he said.

(We are under the Office of the President, so we will follow whatever is the will and pleasure of the president.)

"Basin naa siya'y plan about ani, wala pa lang niya e discuss, pero on the part of PDEA, padayon ang atong pakigbisog," he added.

(He might have a plan about the fight against illegal drugs and he has yet to discuss it, but we in PDEA, we will continue the fight.)

Ortiz also said Tuesday that they will continue the Barangay Drug Clearing Program, which according to PDEA website “encompasses a holistic and whole-of-nation approach in addressing the drug problem by enlisting the participation of local government units, government agencies, and various stakeholders of the national anti-drug campaign.”

Ortiz met with PDEA Director General Wilkins Villanueva on Tuesday to talk about the drug clearing program, which they aim to be certified under the International Standard Organization (ISO).

"Mao na ang among na meetingan kay ang among plano nga ma certify siya sa ISO (That’s what we are going to talk about, because we want it ISO certified)," he said. (BBT/LMY)