Iloilo City charms Aussie envoy

Iloilo City charms Aussie envoy

Iloilo City caught the eyes of Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Amanda Gorely who paid a courtesy visit to Mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog at City Hall July 28.

She noted of the city's booming landscape and likened Iloilo to charming cities in Australia.

Gorely shared that "the way towards sustainable progress should be keeping a small city with big services."

"Seeing this unique and historical part of the Philippines. What a spectacular and amazingly warm traditional welcome we had in Iloilo City. Those (Dinagyang) headdresses are heavy!," Gorely posted on Twitter.

"Great Australian, Philippines, and American links in Iloilo museum.1800s sugar, textile trade and WWII radio used to contact Gen. Mac Arthur in Darwin. Iloilo's historical buildings have been beautifully preserved – with some more recent additions!," she added.

Mabilog told the Australian envoy that the city should sustain being livable amidst the rapid development.

He explained that heritage sites are protected, environmental measures are in placed, urban planning is being updated, and that traffic plans, peace and order and social programs ensure inclusive growth for the people. (Iloilo City PIO)

Iloilo City pilots drug rehab centers in brgys

Iloilo City pilots drug rehab centers in brgys

The Iloilo City Government is initiating the establishment of rehabilitation centers in barangays for drug dependents.

Mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog noted the initiative will be implemented following the City Government's recognition as the first local government unit which constructed detention facility at Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA-6) compound at Fort San Pedro in 2013, complementing the national government's services.

He said City Hall got the help and expertise of Ilonggo psychiatrist Dr. Ruel Malata as the only one in the country who holds Master's degree in addiction studies at King's College London.

Mabilog who met with Malata Monday explained that his group of psychiatrist has already identified drug rehabilitation process.

"As per identification and classification, those with severe cases will be treated in hospitals of Department of Health. Meanwhile, those with mild to moderate cases will be admitted to our community-based drop-in centers in barangays," he added.

The mayor said that barangays will be clustered per district to be served by the centers each manned by a psychiatrist, nurse, three peer facilitators and a utility worker who will undergo a two-week training.

The City Government will partner through a Memorandum of Agreement with senior citizens who are retired professionals to serve as peer facilitators because they are being looked up and listened to.  

Mabilog stated the holistic approach will involve daily counseling on spiritual and psycho-social, weekly periodic random drug test and provision of vitamins B complex and C to treat patients for three to six months and a one-year after care follow-up.

The City Government is looking at a budget of P5-million to start the rehabilitation process of some 1,800 surrenderees here. (Iloilo City PIO)

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148 City Proper druggies surrender

148 City Proper druggies surrender

At least 148 drug personalities in City Proper voluntarily surrendered to Iloilo City Police Station 1 (ICPS1) in an attempt to renew their lives amidst the intensified anti-illegal drug drive in the metropolis.

This, after the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) kicked off last week its project Oplan Double Barrel which involves two strategies including Oplan Tok-hang (Toktok-Hangyo) or "knock and plead" and neutralization of High Value Target (HVT) and Low Value Target (LVT) drug personalities.

Mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog commended the city police for the massive campaign against illegal drugs in an effort to neutralize personalities by yearend.

ICPO director Senior Supt. Remus Zacharias Canieso and Chief Insp. Rio Maymay, station commander of ICPS1, launched the project at Brgy. Tanza Esperanza, City Proper. Also present during the launching were barangay captain Noel Odicta and Wilfredo Lirazan of Brgy. Malipayon.

The surrendered non-watchlisted personalities included 44 from Veterans, 43 from Tanza, 36 from Monica-Blumentritt, 14 from Malipayon and five from Rizal Pala-pala II.

At least six watch-listed personalities in City Proper yielded.

ICPO noted the suspects were photographed, fingerprinted and made to sign an affidavit of undertaking to attest that they will put an end to any involvement to illegal drugs.

ICPO explained they will be subjected to undergo drug test and if found positive they will be referred to Department of Health (DOH) for evaluation, assessment and rehabilitation.

However, ICPO clarified these drug personalities will still be subject for monitoring and if they continue to be actively involved, they can be subject for drug operations or arrest anytime. (Iloilo City PIO)