Iloilo strengthens anti-drug drive

Strengthening the Anti-Drug Campaign. Key stakeholders gather under the Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council to align strategies in the fight against illegal drugs and substance abuse.
Iloilo Provincial Capitol
ILOILO CITY — The Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC) has reinforced its campaign against illegal drugs, convening key government agencies and local anti-drug councils to align strategies aimed at preventing drug abuse and strengthening community-based interventions across Iloilo.
The council meeting, presided over by Provincial Administrator Dr. Raul Banias on behalf of Governor Arthur Defensor Jr., focused on assessing the province's current drug situation and identifying measures to further improve anti-drug efforts at the local level.
Representatives from national government agencies, provincial offices, and local Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (ADACs) presented updates on ongoing programs and initiatives, highlighting the importance of sustained coordination in addressing drug-related issues and preventing the spread of illegal substances in communities.
Discussions centered on strengthening the four key pillars of the anti-drug campaign: prevention, law enforcement, rehabilitation, and community engagement, to ensure a more comprehensive and responsive approach to the problem.
The meeting also reaffirmed the Provincial Government's commitment to maintaining peace and public safety through Executive Order No. 111, Series of 2025, which institutionalized the Provincial Community Defense Action for MoRProGRes Iloilo (4K).
Under the framework, government agencies, local government units, and community stakeholders are encouraged to adopt a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach in addressing security concerns, including the continuing threat posed by illegal drugs.
