Taguig to shut down bars used in drug activities

One-Strike Policy 

Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano has warned bars operating in the city found to be  allowing drug use  that their operations will be promptly closed and the owners prosecuted.

Mayor Cayetano,  who also chairs the League of Cities of the Philippines, made this statement  during the recent  dialogue among  the owners of  bars located in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), the  Philippine National Police (PNP), and   Taguig City government.

Mayor Cayetano reiterated the city’s  “one strike policy”, saying that the city government will immediately revoke the business permits of establishments  which allow drug use by its customers and patrons. Declaring that there  will be no compromise on its drug campaign, the lady mayor said that the rule applies even to first-time offenders.

“Any establishment  used as venue for illegal drug activities   will be automatically shut down. We certainly welcome  investors; we need them because their taxes support  the needs of our constituents.  But their businesses must not  introduce , encourage, or tolerate drug use.  This  kind of  business operations, even if they bring in substantial revenues for the city,  are not welcome,” Mayor Lani said.

Mayor Lani commended  the PNP for  initiating the dialogue and at the same time issued an appeal  to implement the program in the whole of Metro Manila.

“My appeal is to make sure that we impose the same attention on all LGUs…itong problema ng droga ay problema ng buong Pilipinas”.

During the dialogue, Mayor Lani welcomed the suggestion  to include mandatory drug testing as additional requirement for business registration.

“We will study the proposal.  We will refer it  to the City Legal Office  para ma review to make sure na  in order ang lahat.   I’m sure ang mga business owners will welcome it. Sino ba naman ang may gusto na ang mga empleyado nila ay mga drug users. We’re hoping for a positive feedback”.

Southern Police District (SPD) Director Senior Superintendent Tomas Apolinario Jr., welcomed “One-Strike Policy” saying other cities must follow the lead set  by the Taguig City government.

For his part, PNP Chief Director General Ronald Dela Rosa urged all sectors to help the Duterte Administration’s war against drugs. He said efforts to involve stakeholders in finding solutions to the nation’s drug problem is a welcome development.

“Ito po ay hindi lamang kampanya ng PNP, hindi lamang ito kampanya ng gobyerno. Ang lahat ng sektor ng komunidad kabilang ang business sector ay dapat na tumulong para mawakasan ang problema ng droga,” Gen. Dela Rosa said.

Taguig has consistently implemented programs to eradicate the drug menace. Last year, the Taguig Police and the city government of Taguig were able to arrest all the top ten drug personalities in the city. Recently, it launched a community-based wholistic program to help rehabilitate drug users. ###