MANILA – The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) is poised to start its own Narcotics Detection Dog Breeding Program (NDDBP) to enable the agency to breed and train its own K-9 units.
During Monday's budget deliberations at the Senate, PDEA Director General Moro Virgilio Lazo said they proposed PHP8.790 million to fund the program next year.
Out of the 156 narcotic detection dogs spread nationwide, PDEA has deployed 16 within the National Capital Region, particularly at airport terminals, Port of Manila, and the Manila International Container Port.
Lazo said the dogs, which were trained for six months and procured from service providers, cost around PHP300,000 each.
"Just last year, I think we tried to procure for dogs and we went beyond the period of procuring these dogs, and so we are now trying to venture into breeding our own dogs," he told senators.
Senator Ronald dela Rosa, in response, said this move is "more economical".
"Can you just imagine kamahal nung aso bilhin? Kung meron na tayong sarili nating breeding [program], mas maganda (Can you just imagine how expensive it is to buy a dog? It would be better if we have our own breeding program)," dela Rosa said.
The PDEA reported that their K-9 units are capable of detecting shabu, marijuana, ecstacy tablets, and liquid ecstacy.
Lazo, however, assured that they will train them to also detect cocaine and other illegal drugs.
"We have our own trainers. We have trainings in US and some other parts of the world," he said.
The proposed funding for NDDBP will be used for the procurement of veterinary equipment and other materials for the improved services and facilities of narcotic detection dogs.
For next year, PDEA is proposing a budget of PHP3.991 billion, which is around 12 percent higher than the PHP3.978 billion budget approved for this year. (PNA)
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