Iloilo board eyes cash rewards for drug tipsters

By Mariela Angella Oladive

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Iloilo tackled on April 21 a proposed ordinance granting cash rewards of up to PHP 30,000 to individuals who provide information leading to the arrest and filing of cases against suspected drug pushers in barangays.

Authored by 2nd District Board Member and Committee on Public Order and Safety Chairperson June Mondejar, the measure seeks to strengthen the province’s anti-illegal drug campaign at the grassroots level.

“The purpose of this ordinance is to make the campaign against illegal drugs more effective at the grassroots level,” Mondejar said during the regular session.

He said the measure adopts a “whole-of-barangay approach,” with proposed Barangay Bantay Droga units tasked to monitor and report illegal drug activities in communities.

The units may include barangay officials, Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials, volunteer workers, barangay tanods, health workers, nutrition scholars, service point officers, daycare workers, and representatives from civil society organizations assisting law enforcement.

The proposed ordinance also allows participation from transport groups, including tricycle and habal-habal drivers’ associations, to widen community involvement.

Under the measure, informants may receive at least PHP 10,000 for tips leading to the arrest of a resident involved in illegal drugs.

Informants may also receive at least PHP 20,000 for information leading to the arrest of a barangay kagawad or SK official.

A reward of at least PHP 30,000 may be granted for information leading to the arrest of a barangay captain.

The incentive will only be released once a formal case has been filed against the reported individual.

Mondejar said that despite the presence of Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (BADAC), illegal drug activities persist in some areas, highlighting the need for stronger mechanisms.

BADACs are mandated under national policy to lead community-based drug prevention and rehabilitation efforts, but their effectiveness varies across localities.

The measure is scheduled for third and final reading in the coming weeks.