The city council adopted Resolution 191, s. 2024 confirming the memorandum of agreement entered by the city government with the Department of Education-Schools Division of Baguio and the UpLife Movement Inc. for the conduct of a city-wide initiative to encourage positive character values especially in the aspect of drug prevention and help promote positive values among students in the Summer Capital.
The city council considered a letter of Mayor Benjamin Magalong dated March 7, requesting confirmation of the MOA.
Republic Act 8525 or the Adopt-a-School Act of 1998 was enacted to encourage private companies to assist in the delivery of better quality education to public schools in the country particularly in poverty-stricken provinces.
The DepEd-Schools Division of Baguio has the responsibility of securing resources to make public schools competitive and is now calling on the private sector and other agencies to serve as major partners in the nation’s development and the improvement of public education and health system, the measure stated.
The city government is a supportive partner that commits to continuously provide and improve quality services that meet and exceed standards in accordance with existing laws and regulations in partnership with its stakeholders.
RA 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 states that all elementary, secondary, and tertiary school student councils and campus organizations are required to include activities and programs on drug prevention.
It also provides for the integration of drug abuse prevention and control in the elementary, secondary, and tertiary curricula of all public and private schools. Its implementing rules and regulations mandate the provision of continuing in-service training of teachers on the effective utilization of support instructional materials and teaching strategies on drug education.
DepEd Order 12, s. 2009 reiterates its support to the National Drug Education Program with the school head fully responsible for the program’s effective implementation, the resolution stated.
In its second indorsement dated March 19, this year, the city council’s committee on laws, human rights and justice, recommended confirmation of the MOA. – Gaby B. Keith
May 6, 2024
