COSAP: No free condoms on V-Day

CEBU, Philippines — No free condoms from Cebu City Office for Substance Abuse Prevention (COSAP) on Valentines’ Day.

The clarification was issued by COSAP chief Garry Lao after a supposed info graphic from his office was posted on Facebook that elicited negative reactions from the public, including City Councilor Pastor Alcover Jr.

“It’s not true nga ang among office, mang-distribute og condoms karong umaabot February 14, tinood ang amoang buhaton mopahigayon og drug test,” Lao told reporters yesterday.

The info graphic, which bore the city government’s official seal with Mayor Tomas Osmeña’s photo and COSAP logo, tells the public to be “wise” on February 14 and that free condoms will be distributed by COSAP.

Lao said a friend told him about the info graphic that already started to draw public attention online. In fact, Alcover criticized the mayor for allegedly promoting premarital sex.

“Maayo kaha ni? Wala kaha nagpromote ni og premarital sex ning mayora? Nag endorse pa og hotel? Kamo ginikanan, ok ramo ani? Nasuko raba nako ang press sa COSAP kay ngano mi saway ko. Hala, Tommyrot paningkamot gyud, hasta condom gamita para pang kompanya?” read Alcover’s  Facebook post.

Alcover, however, deleted his post after Lao called him up to deny the information. Alcover said he posted the info graphics after an individual sent it to him through messenger. He said he had no idea that it did not come from a legitimate source.

“Nitawag si Garry sa akoa, iyahang gi-deny. After niya gi-deny, akoang gi-delete immediately,” Alcover said.

Osmeña criticized Alcover for reacting on information coming from unverified source.

“Councilor Jun Alcover, I don’t know how you expect this to help you and your party’s candidacy,” the mayor answered on a separate Facebook post.

As of last night, Osmeña’s post has already generated 2, 500 various reactions from netizens and has been shared 132 times.

Lao admitted he did not know who was responsible for posting the wrong information. His office does not also intend to find out who the person was and take possible legal action.

“As for the action wala, siguro nailhan man sa tawo, especially sa atong leaders og unsay fake and unsa’y tinood,” Lao said.

Lao stressed that his office’s only mandate is to conduct random drug test among employees, barangay officials, and city officials. Giving free condoms on valentines’ day is not among his mandate, Lao said.

He said COSAP has prepared several activities on Thursday but condom distribution is not one of them. Lao said his team will have an education campaign on the effects of illegal drugs.

“Naa mi gipahigayon nga information drive against ill-effects of drugs, kibaw ko ang among office, nipahigayon og kalingawan pero condom dili. Karong  petsa 14 atol sa kasaulogan sa buwan sa kasing-kasing, ang COSAP mopahigayon og kalingawan sa bukirang barangay,” Lao said.—  FPL (FREEMAN)