1,610 MAYORS MOBILIZED FOR ANTI-DRUGS CAMPAIGN

To strengthen the Arroyo administration's campaign against illegal drugs,
Interior and Local Government Secretary Jose Lina Jr. yesterday directed the
115 city and 1,495 municipal mayors nationwide to inspect all regulated
businesses within their localities.

"Local chief executives should conduct periodic inspections to check whether
business establishments within their areas of jurisdiction are operating in
line with the provisions or restrictions of the law, or public policy," Lina
said.

In his memorandum, Lina said the inspections should be made to ensure that
the establishments are complying with all pertinent laws and ordinances,
rules and regulations on zoning, fire safety standards, building safety
standards, health, and sanitation, among others.

During the past few weeks, the Philippine National Police and the Philippine
Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and other drug enforcement units raided
several business establishments which later turned out to be shabu
laboratories. Among them are a warehouse in Pasay City, a shoe factory in
Antipolo City, and just recently, a piggery in Guiguinto, Bulacan.

Lina said failure on the part of the establishments to subject themselves to
inspection is a ground for the non-issuance, revocation, or non-renewal of
permits, licenses or clearances, and immediate closure.

The DILG chief also directed DILG regional directors to monitor local
government compliance with the directive and submit a report on actions
taken by concerned LGUs to the DILG through the Bureau of Local Government
Supervision on or before March 31, 2004, and in March every year.