28/05/2026
From ma*****na raids to tourism roads, DDB pushes new Cordillera strategy
By Mia Magdalena Fokno
May 26, 2026
BAGUIO CITY — As ma*****na eradication operations continue across the Cordillera mountains, the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) is now pushing a different long-term strategy in Benguet’s upland communities: roads, tourism, education, and livelihoods.
During its 211th board meeting, the DDB discussed expanding government efforts beyond law enforcement, including proposals to develop the Benguet towns of Kibungan, Kapangan, and Bakun into tourism destinations while strengthening drug prevention and rehabilitation programs nationwide.
The move comes amid intensified anti-drug operations in the Cordillera Administrative Region, where authorities have destroyed hundreds of millions of pesos worth of ma*****na plants in recent months, particularly in remote mountain areas historically linked to illegal cultivation.
The DDB said tourism development and infrastructure projects could help provide alternative livelihoods for communities vulnerable to ma*****na cultivation due to poverty, isolation, and limited economic opportunities.
The board earlier urged the Department of Tourism to help promote the three Benguet towns as tourism hubs, while also calling on the Cordillera Regional Development Council to prioritize road networks, irrigation systems, and other infrastructure projects in affected areas.
DDB Chairperson Secretary Oscar Valenzuela said long-term solutions must go beyond eradication campaigns.
The board also emphasized the need for stronger preventive education and rehabilitation efforts, especially in geographically isolated and disadvantaged communities where access to information and support services remains limited.
Among the initiatives discussed was the continued implementation of the National Drug Education Program, alongside efforts to expand drug awareness campaigns in remote areas.
The DDB also advanced Operation “Private Eye,” a Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency initiative that seeks to involve schools, churches, and businesses in community-based prevention and awareness programs.
Officials said the initiative aims to strengthen early intervention and shared responsibility at the community level.
Discussions during the meeting also focused on rehabilitation efforts inside jails and therapeutic community programs designed to support reintegration and long-term recovery of persons recovering from substance abuse.
The board likewise highlighted the need for stronger inter-agency coordination, including the use of digital systems and information-sharing mechanisms to improve implementation of anti-drug programs and public services.
Preparations for the 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on June 26 were also tackled, along with plans for a research conference on drug prevention and control.
The Cordillera ma*****na issue formed part of the discussions, including possible recognition for local government units and individuals supporting lawful community-based anti-drug initiatives.
The shift in focus reflects a growing recognition among national agencies that while eradication operations remain ongoing, long-term solutions in the Cordillera may also depend on whether remote mountain communities are given sustainable economic alternatives.
Photos by Police Regional Office Cordillera and DDB
