ILOILO City – Ninety-four or 52.2 percent of the city’s 180 barangays have been declared drug-cleared as of May 31 this year, according to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Iloilo.
Rodante Santiago, information officer for PDEA-Iloilo, said the agency and other law enforcement agencies are conducting different measures, such as their demand reduction and interdiction efforts, to maintain the status of the 94 barangays as well as prevent illegal drugs in the remaining 86 barangays.
Santiago was present during the second regular joint-meeting of the Iloilo City Peace and Order Council and the Anti-Drug Abuse Council on June 13.
He said the establishment of Balay Silangan Reformatory Center in the city and close coordination between the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC) and law enforcement agencies are also needed to intensify the city’s Barangay Drug Clearing Program (BDCP).
The PDEA-Iloilo spokesperson likewise pointed out the importance of providing drug law enforcers with in-depth knowledge of drug trafficking laws and seizure protocols to ensure legal compliance; and strengthening the demand reduction program through conducting regular information dissemination or advocacy campaigns.
Meanwhile, operatives of PDEA-Iloilo arrested a total of 294 drug suspects in this city in the first week of this month.
From June 1 to 7, they also seized P16,469.873 worth of shabu from 183 anti-illegal drug operations.
Last April, the provinces of Aklan, Antique and Guimaras have achieved 100 percent drug-cleared barangay status in line with the BDCP led by the PDEA.
PDEA Region 6 information officer Graziella Tanaleon said all barangays of the three provinces were “successfully deliberated” by the Regional Oversight Committee.
Aklan has 372 barangays, Antique has 590, and 98 in Guimaras. (With a report from the Philippine Information Agency)
