BORACAY – This island has three barangays. All of them are now free from illegal drugs, according to the Regional Oversight Committee.
Barangay Yapak was added to the list of drug-free barangays on Feb. 17.
Yesterday, barangays Manocmanoc and Balabag made it to the list, too.
All barangays in Malay, Aklan – three in Boracay and 14 in mainland Malay – met the parameters of the committee composed of the Department of Interior and Local Government, Philippine National Police, Department of Health, and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
The local government of Malay and the Municipal Anti-Drug Abuse Council welcomed this latest multi-agency assessment.
The 14 other drug-free barangays (in mainland Malay) were Argao, Balusbus, Cabulihan, Caticlan, Cogon, Cubay Norte, Cubay Sur, Dumlog, Motag, Naasog, Nabaoy, Napaan, Poblacion, and Sambiray.
Among the parameters were the non-availability of illegal drugs, absence of illegal drug transit, and functional barangay anti-illegal drug abuse council.
With pandemic-related lockdowns and strict quarantine measures since last year, illegal drug use and trafficking were disrupted in Boracay.
On Jan. 22, 2021, PDEA director general Wilkins Villanueva discussed with Malay acting town mayor Frolibar Bautista the Barangay Drug Clearing Program, current status and monitoring of drug surrenderers, implementation of Balay Silangan Reformation Center and after-care programs, and the parameters how to be a drug-free tourist destination./PN
