LAOAG CITY, Philippines — Nine towns in Ilocos Norte have been declared drug-free by the provincial peace and order council.
Aside from the towns of Adams, Banna, Burgos, Currimao, Dumalneg, Piddig and Vintar, at least 518 barangays were also removed from the list of drug-affected villages.
The declaration was issued following an evaluation conducted by the provincial and municipal anti-drug abuse councils.
At least 198 more barangays in the province are waiting to be declared drug-free, according to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.
The decline in the illegal drug activities in the province was attributed to the effective rehabilitation and reformation programs for drug surrenderees.