Natapos nanaman ang isang araw
sa panimula ng isang bagong linggo.
Uuwi, sasakay sa bus,
matatanaw ang mga nasa labas
kasalubong ang hangin mula sa bintana.
Ipapasyal ng bus ang diwa,
ipaparada ang sarili sa madla.
Masisilaw ang paningin sa liwanag ng LED
habang nakamasid din ang mga mata sa EDSA.
Ayoko sanang pumara
kung sa pag-uwi sa dormitoryo'y
ang anino ko lamang ang makakasama
at ang cellphone na walang kaimik-imik
kanina pa.
January 25, 2011
2:02 am
A waste conversion and disposal facility in Valenzuela City now plays a pivotal role in the government’s drive against illegal drugs and other substances.
Tucked inside the Pearl Island Industrial Compound located in Brgy. Punturin, the Green Planet Management , Inc. (GPMI) was tapped by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) thru a medium term agreement to convert and destroy illegal drugs and other chemicals used to make dangerous substances.
The Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as “The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 1992, states that confiscated or surrendered dangerous drugs should be burned or destroyed upon the court’s order.
PDEA public information office director Derrick Arnold Carreon said that in this facility “the guidelines on the disposal of seized dangerous drugs, controlled precursors and essential chemicals (CPECs), and laboratory equipment are complied with to assure the public they will not fall to unscrupulous hands.”
Last Jan. 14, newly-installed PDEA Director General Usec. Jose Gutierrez Jr. led the destruction of some P3 million worth of CPECs and equipment at the Green Planet premises.
“We want the public to witness the latent gains of illicit drug trade be reduced to ashes, thus cutting off the cycle before it reaches its destructive market,” PDEA Chief and member of the PMA Class of 1973 said as he vows to continue strengthening the government’s “concerted and decisive efforts.”
The former District Director of Southern Police District (SPD) also claimed that “this is one tool of transparency that dismisses any communal inkling that illegal drugs seized by authorities are being recycled or peddled back in the streets.”
Witnessing the ceremony were Lt. Col. Angelito Santiago, group commander for administration of Bureau of Customs, representatives from Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB), Public Attorney’s Office (PAO), Valenzuela City police chief P/SSupt Eric Serafin Reyes, Valenzuela Anti-Drug Abuse Council (VADAC) action officer Coun. Tony Espiritu, non-government organizations and the press.
PDEA laboratory services head Cesar Jose said a total of 799.3500 liters of various chemicals consisting of Toluene, Methanol, Hydrochloric Acid, Nitric Acid, Chloroform and Ethyl Acetate; 64.3175 kilograms of solid chemicals composed of Sodium Chloride, Red Phosphorus, Sodium Acetate, Iodine and Sodium Chloride, Potassium Hydroxide and Carbon; expired CPECs and a multitude of laboratory equipment were incinerated.
GPMI general manager Edgardo Aglipay disclosed that liquid chemicals are mixed with oil sludge and can be used to fire up industrial requirements as fuel.
The stash of evidence was seized from operations conducted by PDEA, the police, National Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Customs and private companies.
Undersecretary Gutierrez lauded the efforts of different Regional Trial Court branches in Metro Manila and in the provinces for the speedy prosecution and disposition of drug cases that led to prompt destruction of these chemicals and equipment.
-Mark Lester Cayabyab / Valenzuela City Public Information Office
