Pubdate: Sat, 05 Mar 2005
Source: Sunstar Davao (Philippines)
Copyright: 2005 Sunstar
Contact:  http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1991
Note:  also listed for feedback
Author: Raquel C. Bagnol
Cited: Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency http://www.pdea.gov.ph
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

PDEA CHIEF: LUMADS OPTED TO PLANT MARIJUANA
FOR LIVING

A TOP-ranking official of a drug enforcement agency in Davao region has 
urged the government to provide alternative livelihood to tribesmen who 
opted to plant marijuana for a living.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 11 chief Col. Wilkins Villanueva 
said tribesmen in hinterland barangays, particularly in Davao del Sur, 
where vast plantations of marijuana are found, would prefer to plant 
marijuana because they are being paid and they earn a bigger income with 
such a light work compared to what they will earn if they will plant corn 
or other crops.

"If they will be given an alternate livelihood, they will stop planting 
marijuana plants," Villanueva said during Thursday's Minsupala media forum 
at the Royal Mandaya Hotel.

Villanueva made an appeal to the local government units (LGUs) and 
non-governmental organizations (NGOs), especially those foreign-funded to 
focus their attention to these people who needs an alternative livelihood 
than planting marijuana.

He said NGOs could tie up with local government agencies in providing 
livelihood assistance, but as long as this will not be realized, then the 
law enforcement agencies will go on uprooting marijuana plants, which will 
not solve the problem on the proliferation of illegal drugs.

"Uprooting marijuana plants is not the solution to the problem but that is 
what the law enforcement agencies can do for now. Last year, we were able 
to uproot around 15,000 marijuana plants from four plantations in Davao del 
Sur but these plantations are not that accessible because these are in 
far-flung areas," Villanueva said.

He said natives plant marijuana in places that require at least one or two 
days walking.

"Napakahirap dahil kailangan natin magdala ng maraming tauhan in order to 
conduct the uprooting of the marijuana plants," Villanueva said.
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