ILOILO  — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Regional Office VI reaffirmed its commitment to integrity, discipline, and a healthy work environment through a Ceremonial Attestation of a Drug-Free Workplace held on February 23, 2026, at the DILG Regional Office VI.

Conducted immediately after the regular flag-raising, the ceremony highlighted the symbolic link between loyalty to the Republic and institutional accountability. It was participated in by DILG VI personnel, led by Regional Director Juan Jovian E. Ingeniero, CESO III, with the support of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Regional Office VI, headed by Regional Director Ralph Rommel D. Torres.

In his message, RD Ingeniero emphasized that a drug-free workplace goes beyond compliance, describing it as a declaration of the Department’s values and culture.

“A drug-free workplace is not merely a compliance requirement. It is a declaration of who we are as an organization—one that values clarity of mind, sound judgment, and professional accountability,” he said, noting that it reflects the Department’s commitment to both public service and institutional integrity.

Assistant Regional Director Maria Calpiza J. Sardua, CESO IV, provided the program background, citing Republic Act No. 9165 and Dangerous Drugs Board Regulation No. 13, Series of 2018, under which DILG Region VI adopted its Drug-Free Workplace Policy and Program. She explained that the program rests on three pillars: prevention and education, strict implementation and monitoring, and compassionate rehabilitation—combining discipline with employee support and recovery.

Reinforcing the message, RD Ingeniero remarked that “the only ‘high’ allowed in DILG is high performance, high integrity, and high standards of public service.”

DILG VI personnel were commended for their cooperation, as the Office reiterated its mandate to lead by example, strengthen public trust, and sustain a safe, professional, and principled workplace. The Office also expressed its gratitude to PDEA Region VI for its continued partnership and support.