LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) provincial office has encouraged the local government units (LGUs) in the province to put up a Special Drug Education Center (SDEC) for out-of-school-youths (OSYs) and street children in their localities.
In an interview on Tuesday, DILG Pangasinan provincial director Paulino Lalata Jr. said the SDEC is a community-based facility that is a venue to promote preventive and developmental services for the OSYs and street children.
“Under the facility, there are different programs and services such as interventions and capability training. This (is a) way to intensify drug education among OSYs and street children as part of the anti-drug campaign,” he said.
He added the establishment of SDEC is stipulated under Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act promulgated by the Dangerous Drugs Board Regulation No. 1.
“The (putting up of) SDEC is mandated to the provincial government and is highly encouraged among the other LGUs of the cities and municipalities,” Lalata said.
DILG Pangasinan has recently conducted training or orientation regarding SDEC.
“The provincial social welfare office of the province has vowed that the provincial government is already working on the establishment of the SDEC,” he added. (PNA)
Source: Philippines News Agency