ILOILO City – More than half – 2,120 – of Western Visayas’ barangays have been declared “drug-cleared” or “officially unaffected” by the Regional Oversight Committee (ROC) since the start of the Barangay Drug Clearing Program (BDCP) last year.
The region has 4,051 barangays spread in six provinces, two highly urbanized cities, 14 component cities, and 117 municipalities.
So far this year, 676 barangays were cleared. Last year, there were 444 villages.
“Sa mga super regions na may mga urban areas and highly urbanized cities, hindi ganito kabilis ‘yung kanilang proseso sa barangay drug-clearing,” said Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) regional director Alex Tablate.
The ROC had just concluded its 14th deliberation on March 19 at Casa Real de Iloilo. Of the 522 barangays that submitted their intention for drug-clearing, 393 barangays were able to meet the parameters and submit documentary requirements.
Of the 393 villages, 203 were from Antique, 117 from Iloilo, 47 from Capiz, 22 from Negros Occidental, and four from Aklan.
The ROC is made up of PDEA, Police Regional Office 6, Department of Interior and Local Government, and Department of Health./PN
