Planong mandatory drug testing ng PDEA sa mga Grade 4 na mag-aaral binatikos

BINATIKOS ni Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III ang balak ng Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) na isailalim sa drug test ang mga mag-aaral mula sa Grade 4.

“Who came up with the brilliant idea to propose the conduct of mandatory drug tests for teachers and pupils Grade 4 and up?” tanong ni Pimentel sa balak ng PDEA.

Nauna nang sinabi ng PDEA na dapat isailalim sa mandatory drug testing ang mga guro at mga mag-aaral mula sa Grade 4.

“That is pointless because what is the use of the test result? If positive, then what? And how many false or wrong positives and even negatives will our system produce?” dagdag ni Pimentel.

“Malakihang gastos lang ‘yan. Hence, I’m interested to know who came up with such a ‘brilliant’ idea. Ginawang mandatory para talagang malakihang gastos,” ayon pa kay Pimentel.

Sinabi naman ni Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, na mauuwi lamang sa katiwalian ang balak ng PDEA.

“No. It is prone to corruption, will become a money making scheme for test centers, and will only further burden the public already suffering from high prices of basic goods with more expenses,” dagdag ni Pangilinan.