BARANGAY Sirib and Barangay Dacudao in Calinan District were declared as the first drug-free barangays in Davao City after they complied with the parameters set by the board for a drug-cleared barangay.
The two barangays met the parameters set by the Dangerous Drugs Board Regulation Number 3, Series of 2017 after they underwent validation by the Regional Oversight Committee.
The members of the committee convened to validate the supposed compliance headed by Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Davao Director Antonio Rivera, DILG City Director Vicky Sarcena, and Calinan Police Station commander Police Major Aquiomedes Crosby Wesley.
To be drug-cleared, a certain barangay that was previously drug-affected must be subjected to drug-clearing operation and declared free from any illegal drug activities pursuant to the parameters set forth by the regulation.
A "drug-cleared" status means that the Oversight Committee composed of PDEA, DILG Regional Director or representative as the vice chairman, Philippine National Police, Department of Health, and local government unit representatives as the members have convened and validated the non-availability of drug supply in the area and the absence of drug transit activity, clandestine drug laboratory, warehouse, chemical warehouse, marijuana cultivation site, drug den or resort, drug pushers, and drug users.
"There should also be an active involvement of barangay officials and Sangguniang Kabataan in the anti-drug activities of the barangay, as well as the existence of drug awareness programs and voluntary and compulsory drug treatment and rehabilitation processing desk," Rivera said.
Should there be reports of illegal drug activities, the concerned barangay shall be given 30 days to take appropriate action. Failure to do so shall be a ground to declare the concerned barangay as "drug-affected" and will be subjected again to barangay drug-clearing operations.
"As the government steps up the war on illegal drugs, the agency is calling everyone to vigorously support and cooperate in the nationwide campaign against illegal drugs. This is the right time to curb down the supply and demand for illegal drugs in our country. PDEA is committed to give not only unconditional service to the community but more importantly, we will do it with a huge amount of honor and integrity. For without it, we are nobody," Rivera said.
It can be recalled that Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said she will not sign any drug-free certifications because she was not convinced that the declared drug-free barangays are really "drug-free" and she wants to have a concrete basis from the Department of the Interior and Local Government in declaring such.