DOT inks deal with PDEA, PNP on intensifying anti-drug efforts in tourist areas

The Department of Tourism on Monday inked a memorandum of agreement with law enforcement agencies to boost the anti-drug efforts in areas with many tourists and travelers.

In a statement, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said its Tourism Operation Protection Against Illegal Drugs (TOP-AID) will set assistance and complaint desks for  drug trafficking concerns.

It will also increase visibility of law enforcers to discourage potential violators.

TOP-AID also aims to encourage support from stakeholders in the tourism sector and improve coordination between the DOT and law enforcers.

PDEA Director General Wilkins Villanueva, PNP Chief General Dionardo Carlos, and DOT Undersecretary Woodrow Maquiling Jr. signed the MOA at the PDEA National Headquarters in Quezon City.

They expressed commitment to prevent the proliferation of illegal drugs in tourist destinations.

Villanueva vowed that the presence and action of law enforcers will be “tourist-friendly.”

“Definitely, yung presence ng PDEA doon ay hindi naman ganun ka-alarming. Tourist-friendly ang magiging presence ng PDEA natin doon,” he said during the ceremony.

(Definitely, the presence of PDEA there would not be that alarming. The presence of PDEA there will be tourist-friendly.) — BM, GMA News