NEGROS Occidental will host the upcoming 20th Regional Oversight Committee Barangay Drug Clearing Program deliberation tentatively scheduled in the first week of September.

The decision was made in a recent meeting with Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and members of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Negros Occidental Provincial Office, together with Moises de la Cruz, Executive Assistant I of Bacolod City.

The group discussed initial preparations for the upcoming 20th Regional Oversight Committee on the status of the community-based rehabilitation program of drug surrenderers as well as possible actions to be undertaken by the City Anti-Drug Abuse Council to support and assist barangays in complying with all the parameters required to be declared as drug-cleared barangays.

Based on PDEA records, Negros Occidental, including Bacolod City, has more than 50 barangays that have submitted their intent for drug clearing, which will undergo initial on-site validation before being formally presented to the ROC.

Lacson has reaffirmed his full support to PDEA in the Anti-Drug Campaign.

It was also emphasized that health protocol standards and precautionary measures should be strictly observed during the conduct of said deliberation.