CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Governor Dennis "Delta" Pineda on Wednesday ordered the creation of a task force, which will keep an eye on barangays with the highest number of persons involved in illegal drug trade.

This came after Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Pampanga Provincial Officer Vidal Bacolod disclosed that 36 individuals involved in drug-related activities were arrested from January 1 up to present.

The police were able to seize some ₱779,000,000 worth of drugs in said period.

"Hindi 'yan pwedeng magpatuloy, kailangan na nating aksyunan 'yan habang maaga," said Pineda in the joint Provincial Peace and Order Council-Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PPOC-PADAC) meeting held at the Kingsborough International Convention Center.

Colonel Levi Hope Basilio, Pampanga police director, presented the crime situation in the province during the meeting.

He disclosed that there were 374 crimes reported between January 1 and March 15.

This figure is lesser compared to the number of crimes during the same period last year.

Aside from this, the enhanced criteria and guidelines of the Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentives Awards (LTIA), Buhay Ingatan, Droga'y Ayawan (BIDA) Program, and the approval of some POC resolutions were also highlighted during the joint meeting.