Tacloban declared drug-free

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines — This city is the first highly urbanized city in the Visayas to be declared drug-free by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

Mayor Cristina Romualdez received yesterday the certification that 127 barangays have been cleared of illegal drugs and 11 others have remained drug-free.

The parameters set by the Dangerous Drugs Board in declaring an area as drug-free, including the non-availability of illegal drugs as well as the absence of drug dens, pushers, financiers, users and clandestine drug laboratories have been met, Edgar Jubay, PDEA regional director, told a press conference.

Jubay said drug awareness, preventive education and information as well as the presence of drug treatment centers and rehabilitation processing desks also prompted their declaration of the city as drug-free.

“We are encouraging barangay officials to maintain active participation to safeguard their respective areas,” he said.

Close to 5,000 residents have surrendered and undergone rehabilitation under the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s Mamamayang Ayaw Sa Droga and Oplan Double Barrel Reloaded of the Philippine National Police.

PDEA earlier declared Ormoc as the first drug-free city in the region.

Batanes and Romblon are so far the only provinces to be declared drug-free.