FIVE barangays in Kabankalan City are gearing for drug clearing assessment.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and Negros Occidental Provincial Police Office Team conducted onsite validation over the weekend in Barangays 7, Pinaguinpinan, Tagoc, Tagukon and Camansi, Kabankalan City.

Present during the assessment were Police Lt. Colonel Mary Rose Salve Pico Chief of Police, Kabankalan Police Station, religious sectors, representatives from DepEd, and barangay officials.

Nicolas Gomez, Provincial Chair of PDEA revealed that onsite validations are conducted relative to the declaration of drug cleared barangays in the province on February 27.

He revealed that 46 barangays in Negros Occidental are applying to be declared drug cleared.

At present 98 out of 601 barangays in the province have been declared drug cleared.

Despite that it is lower compared to other provinces but the number is already ideal, Gomez said.

He revealed that it is vital for the barangays to have a community-based rehabilitation program so that they can maintain their status as drug cleared barangay.