CALAMBA CITY, Laguna – The Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) officially recognized the police provincial offices of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, and Rizal, along with the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 4A (Calabarzon), as Drug-Free Workplaces in a ceremony held on Wednesday at the Regional Police Headquarters in Calamba City.
The ceremony led by DDB Undersecretary Earl Saavedra featured the ceremonial unveiling of the Drug-Free Workplace marker, highlighting the accomplishments of the four provincial police offices and the battalion in promoting a drug-free environment within their ranks.
Saavedra praised the efforts of the Calabarzon police, underscoring its role as a model for other police offices nationwide.
“All eyes are on this Police Regional Office (PRO), especially in terms of strengthening the commitment of the police organization to our overall drug prevention agenda,” Saavedra said in his address. “The Calabarzon region is a true model. Your programs and advocacy set the standard for best practices. Not only is this Police Regional Office (PRO) a model, but it is also an effective, fully functional, and cutting-edge initiative that we can all take pride in.”
He commended the leadership and teamwork within PRO 4A for achieving this milestone, highlighting that their collective effort has set a powerful example for others to follow.
Other key contributors to the drug-free accomplishment, including the barangay tanod (village police), City Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (CADAC), and Municipal Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (MADAC), were also recognized for their significant role in fostering a drug-free environment in their communities.
This recognition builds on the progress already made earlier this year. The Calabarzon Regional Police Headquarters was declared a Drug-Free Workplace on April 30, followed by the Quezon Police Provincial Office on Sept. 9.
The achievement was the result of the successful implementation of the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) internal cleansing program, as outlined in Command Memorandum Circular 2023-03.
This program ensures that no PNP member is involved in illegal drug activities, and includes comprehensive phases such as drug awareness, prevention, testing, treatment, and rehabilitation. All PNP personnel underwent drug testing, with all members tested returning negative results, underscoring the commitment to a drug-free police force.
Brig. Gen. Paul Kenneth Lucas, PRO-4A regional director, underscored the significance of this accomplishment, which he said, was not only an achievement but also a reminder of the importance of maintaining vigilance.
“This declaration is both an achievement and a call to continued vigilance,” Lucas said. “It reflects our shared commitment to protecting the public and each other. By ensuring a safe and drug-free workplace, we empower our personnel to perform their duties with the highest levels of integrity and dedication to public service.” (PNA)