Plagata disregarded in newly reactivated anti-drugs council?
It seems City Councilor Erwin "Tong-Tong" Plagata was left out in the current campaign against illegal drugs. Members of the media yesterday was surprised upon knowing that Plagata, who chairs the Sangguniang Panlungsod committee on police matters, was not one of those who comprise the Iloilo Iloilo City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (Icadac).
City Mayor Jerry Treñas through an executive order reactivated the Icadac to intensify the campaign against illegal drugs in the city.
Normally, the chair of the committee on police matters automatically becomes a member of the Icadac.
The newly reactivated council is composed of Mayor Treñas as chairman and Vice Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog as vice chairman. Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency's Paul Ledesma was named as the executive director.
A lawyer who spoke on condition of anonymity said it is unlikely for the chair of the committee on police matters not to be a part of the council. The anti-drug abuse programs is one of the concerns of the committee on police matters and the legislative body can formulate legislations when it comes to anti-drug abuse matters, the same source observed.
It was not immediately known whether it was Plagata's personal decision not to join the council or he was intentionally excluded from Icadac.
Earlier, Plagata felt alluded by the statement of Department of Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez Sr. about a city councilor coddling a suspected drug lord in the city.
Plagata admitted he is a wedding godfather to the suspected drug pusher but he denied having participation on the illegal drugs trade.
The other members of the council are DILG city director Helen Mestidio as head of secretariat and Councilor Irene Ong as head of the Liga ng mga Barangay, Councilor John Melchor Mabilog; Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President, ICPO director Senior Supt. Wesley Barayuga, all current city precinct commanders, PDEA Reg. Dir. Roybel Sanchez, city schools Supt. Erlinda Gencaya, University of San Agustin vice president Jigger Latoza, City Information Officer Amante Espejo and CSWDO head Clarita Dignadice.
The council will serve as focal point through which various organizations and individuals work together cooperatively in the planning, implementation and evaluation of programs on drugs abuse prevention; provide for an effective mechanism for the coordination of existing services and programs and those which might be developed in the immediate future; provide mechanisms to obtain funds, volunteers, facilities and technical expertise and perform other related responsibilities as may assigned by competent authorities.