COUNCILOR Thelma “Mrs. In” Indiongco on Tuesday, July 16, filed two proposed ordinances to promote a drug-free workplace and to create a Dangerous Drug Administrative Board in Angeles City.
Indiongco, a neophyte city councilor and former president of the Councilmen’s League of Angeles City (CLAC), said the two proposed ordinances will greatly help in the administration’s fight to curb the illegal drug problem in the city.
“Public office is a public trust, thus public officers must at all times be accountable to the people they serve. It is in the best interest of the government to assure a drug-free workplace because the drug abuse problem can have a significant effect on the government, like reduction in productivity, poor decision making, client relationship mishap and physically dangerous situations,” she said.
Indiongco said her proposed ordinance will assure random drug testing of City Government officials and employees in the City Government.
“Let us lead by example, even we elected officials will not be spared from this random drug testing,” she said.
The lady councilor also said her other proposed Ordinance, which is the creation of the Angeles City Dangerous Drug Administrative Board, will greatly help in the monitoring of complaints brought about by the public and take necessary action.
“The powers and duties of the ACDDAB are receiving complaints for the abatement of drug-related public nuisance; conduct hearing; and declare the place or premises as drug-related nuisance,” she said.
According to the councilor, the composition of the ACDDAB will consist of the heads of the City Health Office, City Legal Office, Chief of Police, representative from the NGO who are members of the Peace and Order Council and Anti-Drug Abuse Council and the SP Chair, Public Health and Welfare.
Indiongco cited Section 52 of the RA 9165 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002, any place or premises which have been used on two or more occasions as the site of unlawful sale or delivery of dangerous drugs or used as drug den for pot session and other similar activities may be declared to be a public nuisance and such nuisance may be abated.
“I am seeking the support of my fellow councilors and our City Mayor Carmelo ‘Pogi’ Lazatin Jr. to support my proposed ordinances in order to protect our constituents from the illegal drug menace that has been decaying not only our City but the rest of our country,” she ended. (Chris Navarro)