LA TRINIDAD, Benguet (PIA) — The Benguet Provincial Jail has been declared a drug-cleared controlled facility for people deprived of liberty.
The Regional Oversight Committee on Drug Clearing of Controlled Facilities for People Deprived of Liberty certified that the provincial jail facility has completely and positively complied with all the parameters of Dangerous Drugs Board Resolution No. 2, series of 2020, after thorough evaluation and validation.
Regional Oversight Committee Chairperson and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Cordillera Regional Director Derrick Arnold Carreon led the awarding of the declaration and plaque to Provincial Jail Warden Peter Tip-ac and provincial officials led by Gov. Melchor Diclas during the Monday flag-raising ceremony at the provincial capitol on March 3, 2025.
Carreon was assisted by members from the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Department of Health, the Department of Justice-Office of the Prosecutor, Police Regional Office Cordillera and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines.
“Rest assured that we will continue to implement the policies, programs and advocacies on illegal drugs in our jail facility, our community and the entire province for a better and healthier Benguet,” Tip-ac said. He also expressed gratitude to the provincial government for its support.
He shared that to support the goal for a drug-cleared facility for people deprived of liberty, the provincial jail established a drug-free workplace committee led by the provincial warden. This aligns with parameters of drug testing of all personnel and people deprived of liberty inside the jail facility every quarter, and the results should all be negative.
“We are very happy na walang users, walang addict sa ating mga jail guards at mga PDLs,” Tip-ac said.
Carreon commended the Benguet Provincial Jail’s milestone in rolling out a drug-free workplace program and policy within the government organization and attaining a drug-cleared jail facility.
“Thank you and congratulations to the Benguet Provincial Jail for your devotion and commitment to this worthwhile cause,” Carreon said.
He also commended the jail warden, who oversees the welfare of his staff and shapes the lives of the people deprived of liberty with their collaborative efforts in the Jail Drug Clearing Program.
He also called on the provincial leaders to enact comprehensive drug-free workplace rules that prioritize prevention, education and intervention.
“By providing our employees with the resources and support they require to address substance misuse concerns, we can assist them in leading better, more satisfying lives both within and outside of work.”
The provincial officials also encouraged the various stakeholders to work together toward achieving drug-free facilities in the government, a drug-free community and a drug-free province of Benguet. (JDP/ RMC-PIA CAR)
