FIRST 100 DAYS OF DG NEREZ: A LEADERSHIP OF COMMITMENT AND COMPASSION
In his first 100 days (February 5 to May 15, 2025) as the 9th Director General of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Undersecretary Isagani R Nerez demonstrated admirable values of a true public servant: excellence, good public relations and people-centeredness.
His leadership acumen encompasses a solid blend of commitment, relentlessness, compassion and sustainability by implementing anti-drug initiatives that are centered towards the preservation of health, life and rights of all members of society.
In the drug-supply reduction side, PDEA conducted a total of 1,115 anti-illegal drug operations that resulted in the arrest of 1,521 drug personalities, 737 of these are high-value targets (HVTs), and seizure of ₱3.77 billion worth of dangerous drugs, including 489.16 kilograms of methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu, during the period. As a result, 16,050 drug cases were filed anew; 9,956 were resolved while 7,420 led to conviction.
With the invaluable contributions of the PDEA Deputized Anti-Money Laundering Council Investigators (DAFIs), the Philippines successfully exited from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Grey List after addressing deficiencies in money laundering and counter terrorism regime that boosted the country’s standing in the global, financial and investment market.
Part of the Agency’s campaign to address the drug problem is the conduct of drug demand reduction activities to keep the people away from illegal drugs. For the period, a total of 1,356 drug prevention lectures were conducted in front of 83,156 audiences. Eight Civil Society Organizations (CSO) were also accredited that served as force multipliers in the anti-drug drive.
Efforts to reform drug offenders and rehabilitate Persons Who Use Drugs (PWUDs) were constantly pursued. Two Balay Silangan Reformation Centers were established by local government units. In total, 379 drug offenders completed the reformation process and became law-abiding and productive citizens, 1,551 of them are still undergoing the program, while 234 PWUDs and their families were assisted by PDEA Regional Public Assistance Desks to proper rehabilitation program.
The Barangay Drug Clearing Program (BDCP) remains a cornerstone in a bid to spare communities from the threats of illegal drugs. During the period, 45 barangays were declared cleared from illegal drugs, and 31 barangays maintained their status as drug-cleared.
PDEA also formed collaborative partnerships with private institutions and other stakeholders through the forging of Memoranda of Agreement /Understanding. Likewise, a steady stream of foreign counterparts visited the Agency’s National Headquarters in Quezon City to discuss efforts to combat the worldwide drug problem.
Mindful that personnel are undeniably crucial to the success of the PDEA organization, Director General Nerez prioritizes the recruitment and provision of proficiency and capability enhancement training to the workforce, which has proved vital for driving growth and innovation, and delivering high-quality results and services to the Filipino people.
The arrival of Undersecretary Nerez into the mantle of PDEA leadership added a spark of optimism in the national anti-drug campaign. One hundred days in, DG Nerez elevated the country’s fight against illegal drugs by finding the right equilibrium: a committed and compassionate regard for the health, dignity, and rights of an individual without losing the intensity of going after high-level and small-level drug traffickers.
This is in response to the directive of President Ferdinand R Marcos, Jr. to adopt a whole-of-nation approach to rid the country of illegal drugs through prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and law enforcement.
