Officials, lawmen in fix to stop Benguet marijuana cultivation

By Susan C. Aro

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- Officials, concerned agencies and other stakeholders are hard up in stopping proliferation of marijuana in the province.

In a recent meeting of the Provincial Peace and Order Council, the   Philippine National Police and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency reported that for the second quarter, five marijuana eradication operations were undertaken in Kibungan and Bakun resulting to the destruction of fully grown plants, dried leaves, seedlings and stalks valued at Php502, 965.00.

Mankayan Municipal Mayor Materno Luspian, president of the League of Municipalities, raised the issue on the eradication conducted yearly yet marijuana plantations still proliferate. 

PDEA regional director Juvenal Blanquera Azurin  said while they do monthly monitoring particularly in Kibungan and Bakun, political will of barangay officials  is needed  to  help in convincing those who are engaged marijuana plantation to stop their trade as it has great impact to people’s lives once they are addicted to the prohibited drug.

Supt. Peter Tagtag of the Police Provincial Office said they are now organizing teams to be deployed in the area particularly in Badeo and Tacadang in Kibungan and Kayapa in Bakun.

The teams are expected to monitor from time to time marijuana plantations in said areas even after eradication operations to ensure they do not till again.

They will also conduct information drive in the area among the people on ill effects of marijuana.

Tagtag said they are seeking assistance of the local government to provide livelihood opportunities for the people as an alternative to planting marijuana.