THE remaining 119 barangays out of 180 villages in Iloilo City will be subjected to the next round of drug-clearing deliberation by the Regional Oversight Committee on February 27.

There are already 61 drug-cleared barangays in the metropolis.

Mayor Jerry Treñas, who also serves as chairman of the Iloilo City Anti-Drug Abuse Council, wanted all villages to be declared drug-free.

Department of the Interior and Local Government City Director Roy Defiño urged barangay officials to encourage tokhang surrenderers to undergo community-based rehabilitation as part of protocols in drug-cleared declaration.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Western Visayas chairs the Regional Oversight Committee with member representatives from DILG, Department of Health, Philippine National Police and local government units.

Dangerous Drugs Board sets guidelines for drug-cleared barangays without the following: illegal drugs supply; transit or transshipment activity; laboratory; clandestine chemical warehouse; marijuana cultivation site; drug den, dive or resort; drug pusher, user or dependent; drug protector, coddler or financier.

There should be active barangay officials in anti-drug activities; involvement of Sangguniang Kabataan to maintain drug-free community; awareness, preventive, education and information programs; and voluntary and compulsory drug treatment rehabilitation processing desk. (PR)