103 WV villages ‘drug-cleared’ – PDEA

ILOILO City – One hundred three barangays in Western Visayas have been declared “drug-cleared,” according to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Region 6.

They include 15 barangays from San Remigio, Antique; and 42 from Alimodian, 14 from Bingawan, 22 from Cabatuan, one from Mina, and nine from Tubungan, Regional Director Wardley Getalla said on Friday.

The Regional Oversight Committee on Barangay Drug-Clearing Operation is still deliberating on the status of other drug-affected barangays in other provinces, he said.

“We are careful. We make sure there are no drug personalities in the barangays we declare ‘drug-cleared,’” Getalla said.

For a barangay to be declared “drug-cleared,” it should have no:

* drug supply

* drug transit or transshipment activity

* clandestine drug laboratory and drug warehouse

* clandestine chemical warehouse

* marijuana cultivation site

* drug den, dive or resort

* drug pusher

* drug user/dependent

* drug protector/coddler/financier

Other parameters it needs to comply with are:

* active involvement of barangay officials in antidrug activities

* active involvement of the Sangguniang Kabataan to help maintain the drug-cleared status

* existence of drug awareness, preventive education and information, and other related programs

* existence of voluntary and compulsory drug treatment and rehabilitation processing desk

Meanwhile, Getalla reminded the barangays that PDEA accommodates drug dependents and traders who wanted to get reformed to its “Balay Silangan” program for a chance to clear their names and become productive members of society.

In addition, PDEA also plans to conduct drug enforcement training and orientation among barangay officials.

Maraming bago (barangay officials), hindi lahat re-electionist. Kailangan talaga i-orient sila,” said Getalla.

Hinihintay lang ang transition period. Pagdating ng July, magfu-full blast tayo [sa training and orientation] para maraming tayong mai-declare na drug-cleared barangays,” he said./PN

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