Pubdate: Wed, 15 Jun 2005 Source: Daily Tribune, The (Philippines) Copyright: 2005 The Tribune Publishing Co., Inc. Contact: http://www.tribune.net.ph/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2973 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Philippines VICE MAYORS DRAW UP ACTION PLAN AGAINST DRUG MENACE The newly-organized Association of Metro Manila Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (Ammadac), composed of the vice mayors from the 17 cities and municipalities in Metro Manila, will hold an anti-drug summit on June 17 to map out a Metro-wide action plan against illegal drugs. Makati City Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado, concurrent chairman of Ammadac, said the summit, to be held at the Hotel Intercontinental Manila, will consolidate all the anti-drug campaign efforts and experiences of local governments of Metro Manila. The shared experiences will form the basis for drawing up plans and programs to achieve their vision of a drug-free metropolis. Interior and Local Government Secretary Angelo Reyes and Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Arturo Lomibao will join Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay as special guests in the event. Mercado said Ammadac is a body for coordinating the anti-drug campaigns of the LGUs of Metro Manila and will provide a forum for sharing relevant information and resources. "We in Makati are honored and proud for this opportunity to share the Makati experience in fighting the drug menace with other anti-drug crusaders," Mercado said. Organized and hosted by the city government of Makati through the Makati Anti-Drug Abuse Council (Madac), the conference also aims to strengthen Ammadac which was launched recently to achieve a united approach in solving the drug menace. Makati City's anti-drug drive will again be presented as a best practice during the event, as the PNP is promoting it as model for the anti-drug abuse campaigns in the different localities. Some 700 participants, including public officials from nearby provinces like Rizal, Laguna, Bulacan and Cavite, are expected to attend the summit. - ---