THE local police, together with the local government of San Simon, are targeting to make this municipality drug-cleared before the second half of the year ends.
Chief Inspector Louie Gonzaga, this town’s chief of police, said that they are working double time to totally stamp out illegal drugs in the communities, and free the people from its negative effects.
“We are aspiring to make San Simon drug-cleared before election time in May, and hopefully we will be able to meet our target through the strong support of our local government, barangay officials and the whole Simonian community,” he said.
Based on the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) regulation, aspiring drug-cleared barangays must pass through the rigid scrutiny of the requirements and verification, and validation processes conducted by the Oversight Committee.
Requirements include compliance with the eight parameters of DDB, which includes the active operation of respective barangay anti-drug abuse councils, regular status reporting of drug surrenderers who have also gone through community-based reformation process.
At present, Gonzaga said that Barangay Sto. Niño remains the only village in town declared drug-cleared by the Drug Clearing Oversight Committee led by Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.
The chief cop said that six more villages namely barangays San Juan, San Pedro, Sta. Cruz, San Nicolas, San Jose, and Sta. Monica have already submitted the necessary documents and are only awaiting verification.
Gonzaga urged Simonians to sustain their support to the anti-illegal drug operations of the Philippine National Police to be able to meet the common target of making San Simon a drug-cleared community.
“We are asking for your continued support in making San Simon drug-cleared, crime-free, and a safe community to live in and rest assured that your Philippine National Police is working double to ensure your security,” he said.
If declared, San Simon will be the third municipality to be drug-cleared after Masantol and San Luis towns.