The Colloquium on Drug Abuse Prevention and Control for the Five (5) Pillars of the Criminal Justice System has been successfully conducted in Batangas City, reflecting the DDB’s continuing commitment to provide national policy and strategy direction on drug prevention and control and the Provincial Government of Batangas’ strong advocacy for local action and community-driven solutions.
The program brought together representatives from the Court, Prosecution, Law Enforcement, Corrections, and Community to foster dialogue, strengthen cooperation, and develop shared solutions to drug-related challenges. Guided by subject matter experts from the judiciary, prosecution, law enforcement, corrections, academia, and civil society, participants engaged in a mock trial, panel exchanges, and community dialogues that deepened their understanding of each pillar’s role, enhanced cross-sector coordination, and explored practical approaches to prevention, rehabilitation, and reintegration. The sessions emphasized that real progress is achieved only when all pillars stand united—guided by science, grounded in human rights, and committed to shared responsibility.
This call for unity was echoed in the keynote address of DDB Chairman – Secretary Oscar Valenzuela, who emphasized that the campaign against illegal drugs can only succeed when all five pillars stand strong together. He reaffirmed the DDB’s reform agenda anchored on public health, human rights, and evidence-informed strategies, while stressing the vital role of local government leadership through the institutionalization of Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (ADACs) and Anti-Drug Abuse Offices (ADAOs) to expand and sustain community-based rehabilitation programs.
The conduct of this colloquium stands as a powerful testament that collaboration across all pillars builds a justice system that not only functions effectively, but also heals, protects, and uplifts every Filipino.
