Politics · Philippines Bureau
Lawmaker warns drug-detection dog program faces inadequate 2027 funding
A Philippine congressman has raised concerns over the proposed budget allocation for the country's K-9 units, arguing that insufficient funding would undermine the narcotics detection program's critical role in combating illegal drugs.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA — Philreca party-list Representative Presley de Jesus on Wednesday expressed alarm at the proposed budget for the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency's canine detection units, contending that the allocation falls short of what is needed to maintain the program's effectiveness.
De Jesus highlighted the importance of narcotic detection dogs in drug enforcement operations nationwide, suggesting that their contributions to drug seizures warrant more substantial funding support. The K-9 units have proven instrumental in identifying and intercepting illegal narcotics across the country.
The congressman's criticism comes as budget deliberations for the 2027 fiscal year continue in Congress. He stressed that under-resourcing the program could compromise the PDEA's ability to train and properly maintain the working dogs essential to its operations.
The issue underscores ongoing debates in the Philippine government over resource allocation priorities within law enforcement agencies tasked with combating the nation's drug crisis. De Jesus has called for a reassessment of the proposed funding to ensure the K-9 program receives adequate support for its operations next year.