FOUR to five million Filipinos are still involved in the illegal drug trade, according to Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) chairman Catalino Cuy.
Cuy led the provincial drug summit at the L' Fisher Hotel in Bacolod City on Wednesday, November 28.
He said the figure is composed of users and pushers.
Cuy said it was just a “conservative estimate” because they have difficulty in determining the exact figure.
Despite the 1.3 million Filipinos who surrendered to the authorities, the war against illegal drugs continues, Cuy said.
“We have successes and lapses. It is a long fight. It will be challenging for us,” he added.
Cuy said they are eyeing to have drug-free communities by 2022 but they will also need the cooperation of the public.
He said President Rodrigo Duterte signed Executive Order (EO) 66 on October 29 that institutionalizes the Philippine Anti-Drug Strategy (Pads).
The order directed all government offices, department bureaus, agencies, and offices, including government-owned or controlled corporations and state universities and colleges (SUCs) to implement the Pads, in accordance with their respective mandates.
“Within the first quarter of 2019, we should be in full gear in the implementation of EO 66,” Cuy said.
The order was followed by a Memorandum Circular 53 that was recently signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, ordering all government entities to be "active in the anti-illegal drug activities."
Cuy said he considered it a good development in the campaign against illegal drugs.
“It will be a renewed energy especially in the demand and supply reduction of drugs in the country,” he added.
Meanwhile, about 50 government agencies met in Manila on Tuesday, November 27, to discuss the parameters of Pads so they can measure if they are winning or losing the drug war.