352 more CV brgys retain 'drug-cleared' status

CEBU, Philippines — At least 352 barangays will retain their status as “drug-cleared” after the Regional Oversight Committee on Barangay Drug Clearing (ROCBDC) has verified the absence of drug personalities in these villages.

The ROCBDC, which convened on July 22 in Cebu City, ordered the issuance of resolutions stating that these barangays drug-free status be retained. These barangays were confirmed as drug cleared from 2017 to October 5, 2020.

The committee meeting was presided over by PDEA-7 assistant director Restie Lamorena, on behalf of PDEA-7 director Levi Ortiz.

Also present during the activity were Police Major Rey Delos Santos of PRO-7, Dr. Dino Caing of DOH-7, Camille Pateres of DILG-7, and representatives from the 352 barangays.

Of the 352, 65 are in Cebu.

Some of these Cebu barangays are Sinsin, Subangdaku, Sto. Niño, Sudlon, Tingo and Baring of Olango Island.

In Medellin town, north Cebu, the drug-cleared barangays include Maharuhay, Caputatan Norte, Dalingding Sur, Mahawak, Antipolo, and Curva.

All barangays of San Remigio town, also in north Cebu, are cleared: Anapog, Argawanon, Bagtic, Bancasan, Batad, Busugon, Calambua, Canagahan, Dapdap, Gawaygaway, Hagnaya, Kayam, Kinawahan, Lambusan, Lawis, Libaong, Looc, Luyang, Mano, Poblacion, Punta, Sab-a, San Miguel, Tacup, Tambongon, To-ong and Victoria.

Aside from 65 barangays in Cebu, there are also nine barangays in Negros Oriental that will retain their status as “drug-cleared”; 15 in Siquijor; and 263 in Bohol.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency has issued certificates of no active drug personalities to these barangays. The Police Regional Office-7 has also reflected the status in its own records.

Based on DDB Regulation No. 2, s. 2017 known as “Strengthened Implementation of Barangay Drug Clearing Program”, a regular monitoring is required to ensure that there will be no illegal drug activities in drug-cleared barangays and to ensure the sustained implementation of the barangay drug clearing program.

 The process is also pursuant to PDEA Memorandum Circular 2021-003, as amended by PDEA MC 2021-022, on the guidelines in the validation process of barangays with drug-cleared status.

Earlier in May, 103 drug-cleared barangays in Cebu, Bohol, and Siquijor also officially retained their status as such. —/JMD (FREEMAN)