More CV barangays 'drug-cleared'

CEBU, Philippines —  More than half of the total number of barangays in Central Visayas have already been declared "drug-cleared".

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-7 Spokesperson Leia Alcantara reported that there now remains 43 percent, or 1,295 barangays, in the region that are not yet drug-cleared.

This means that 1,592 barangays in Central Visayas are already cleared of any illegal drug activities.

Drug-cleared barangays are those that were subjected to drug-clearing operations that resulted in their being “cleared” of the menace, pursuant to the guidelines set by the Dangerous Drugs Board for drug-affected barangays.

Alcantara said that just last July 26 and 27, 2023, the Regional Oversight Committee on Barangay Drug Clearing had a deliberation that resulted in 61 barangays being declared as "drug-cleared".

Of the 61,  six of are in Bohol province, 18 in Negros Oriental, 36 in Cebu,  and one in Cebu City.

Alcantara said that there are also five in Bohol and six in Cebu that are in the probationary list of "drug-cleared" barangays due to lacking requirements, which should be submitted within 15 days

“Declared drug-cleared probationarily, pero considering minor ra kaayo ilahang requirements we are confident nga ma-comply nila. Mao to gi-drug-cleared gihapon sila although probationary," she said.

If the 11 barangays fail to submit the required documents within the 15-day period, they would have to go through the whole process and re-apply again.

Alcantara said the barangays applying to be declared drug-cleared has a big impact on their campaign against illegal drugs because it shows that the barangays know about the campaign and really care.

“Saona man gud ang perception sa community, when we talk about anti-illegal drug campaign, ay trabaho lang na sa police, trabaho lang na sa PDEA. But right now mas na-appreciate na nila ang programs and mas kabalo na sila unsay ilang roles," she said.

"And this was really well presented by President (Ferdinand) Marcos, Jr. during his second SONA. Ingon gyud siya didto, gi-emphasize niya ang importance sa treatment and rehabilitation and anha mosulod ang barangays. Dako kaayo sila og role especially sa Community-based Drug Rehabilitation Program, which is ongoing," she added. (CEBU NEWS)