CITY OF KORONADAL — “I will accept the Top 10 Honors List on Anti-Drug campaign on behalf of the people of South Cotabato, but this is a challenge on our part to sustain it,” this was statement of Governor Daisy Avance Fuentes when interviewed by members of the media in a break during the Provincial Development Council (PDC) meeting held last August 23 in Cinco Ninas here.
The statement was made when early this week, a national broadsheet published the names of the 10 Governors all over the country reported in the “honors list” of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte for their anti-drug campaign in their respective province, with Governor Fuentes listed among the honorees.
Joining Fuentes are Imee Marcos of Ilocos Norte, Faustino Dy III of Isabela Province, Junie Cua of Quirino, Jose Alvarez of Palawan, Eduardo Firmalo of Romblon, Alfredo Marañon of Negros Occidental, Edgardo Chatto of Bohol, Hilario Davide III of Cebu, and Ma. Angelica Rosedell Amante-Matba of Agusan del Norte.
Fuentes also expressed her thanks during the interview to the Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC) headed by Board Member Agustin Demaala as the Governor’s Permanent Representative to the Council, for their aggressive campaign against drug peddlers and users in the province.
South Cotabato PADAC was adjudged last year as the country’s Most Outstanding Provincial Council by the Dangerous Drugs Board.
The Governor initiated random drug testing among capitol employees this year and for job order employees found to be positive, contracts of employment were not renewed. The Sangguniang Panlalawigan led by Vice-Governor Vicente de Jesus likewise followed suit and were all tested negative.
She also announced in one of the province’s regular Monday Convocation Program that she will continue the drug testing campaign, and stressed that if possible, all provincial employees will undergo said testing.
