INTERESTED. Voters and supporters of candidates in Davao del Norte province line up to register during the candidates forum held at the Aces Tagum College in Tagum City on Thursday afternoon, April 14. (Zea Io Ming C. Capistrano/davaotoday.com)
TAGUM CITY – Former Congress Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez saidhe would favor the restoration of death penaltyto help curb the problem on drugs in the province.
Alvarez, running for Congressional slot, for the first district of Davao del Norte, presented a “two-pronged approach” which included the restoration of death penalty and the increase of the budget of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
“One, restore death penalty against drug lords, drug pushers and corrupt public officials. Second, increase the budget of DSWD to enable them to attend to victims,” he said adding that these actions need an act of Congress.
Alvarez was responding to a question duringthe Candidates Forum 2016, held at the Aces Tagum College on Thursday, April 14. He was among the five candidates for the first congressional district of Davao del Norte.
Panelist Aurora Lozada, a local veteran broadcaster, threw the question on their strategy to address the problem on drugs.
“The children and the youth sector is the most volatile and the most crucial among the sectors. Given the widespread threat on illegal drugs and criminality, what will be your strategy in making the sector drug free and crime free, developing them to responsible and contributing members of our society?” Lozada said.
‘Make rehabilitation accessible’
Former Tagum City Councilor Nicandro Suaybaguio,would disagree and blamed corruption for the proliferation of drugs, wanting rehabilitation center to be more accessible.
“We have the (Philippine National Police), the (Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency), and all other agencies, However if there is corruption, there will always be that problem,” he said.
Suaybaguio saideducation among the youth on the effects of drugs should be intensified.
Suaybaguio added that the province only have one rehabilitation center.
“Even if they have the will to change but the rehabilitation is not accessible, nothing will happen,” he said.
Another Congressional candidate, Atty. Emmanuel Mahipus, said there should be a “convergent approach” between the public and private sector to address the needs of the youth sector.
He will also push for the strengthening of families as basic unit of the society.
“Drug is just a manifestation of a bigger problem and that problem is the lack of family. And even the society and government could take care of the needs of the youth. They were disregarded because of hunger, poverty,” he said.
Former Tagum barangay Kagawad, Dexter Welborn said the youth should be elevated from their situation of poverty and will provide help through cooperative system.
Parents attention
Former Rep. Arrel Olaño said the youth should be given attention by their parents and the out of school youth should be “motivated to go to school.”
“We will expand the function of (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority) to reach all the youth who need further education and to enable them look for jobs. If they have jobs they will be distracted from activities like using illegal drugs,” he said.
The Candidates Forum 2016 was organized by the Philippine Information Agency and the Commission on Elections in Davao del Norte. (davaotoday.com)
