Governor Lilia ‘Nanay’ Pineda on Monday convened an inter-agency coordination meeting to address and immediately act on reports of illegal cigarette manufacturing and storage operations in the province.

As chairperson of the Provincial Peace and Order Council, Pineda emphasized the need to intensify law enforcement efforts and strengthen existing peace and order programs to safeguard the security and welfare of Kapampangans.

The governor underscored the importance of tighter coordination among concerned agencies to fully eradicate illegal activities that negatively impact the local economy and pose risks to public safety.

Also present at the meeting was former President and now Pampanga 2nd District Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who expressed support for the provincial government’s initiatives. The issue has drawn national attention following recent raids on illegal warehouses in the towns of Mexico and San Simon, as well as in the City of San Fernando.

Among those who attended were 2nd District Board Member Atty. Claire Lim, chairperson of the Committee on Peace and Order; Executive Assistant IV Angelina Blanco; Pampanga Environment and Natural Resources Office head Engr. Arthur Punsalan; and Provincial Engineering Office head Engr. Noli Pangan.

Representatives from key government agencies also joined the coordination meeting, including the Bureau of Internal Revenue Revenue Region, Regional Highway Patrol Unit 3, Bureau of Customs–Port of Clark, Department of the Interior and Local Government Pampanga, Pampanga Provincial Police Office, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, National Bureau of Investigation, and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Pampanga.