Pubdate: Thu, 11 Dec 2003 Source: Manila Bulletin (The Philippines) Contact: http://www.mb.com.ph/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/906 Author: Rico Navarro 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. - --- MAP posted-by: Josh