34 Iloilo City barangays drug-cleared

A TOTAL of 34 barangays out of 180 in Iloilo City have been recently declared by the Regional Oversight Committee as drug-cleared.

An additional 26 barangays achieved drug-cleared status, joining the initial eight in the list revealed by Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Western Visayas.

These are barangays in City Proper, namely, Arsenal Aduana, Inday, Nonoy, Rima-Rizal, Sto. Rosario Duran, Tanza Timaza Zone 1, Tanza Timawa Zone 2, and Yulo Arroyo; Calahunan, Dungon C, Guzman-Jesena, Pali-Benedicto, PHHC Block 17, PHHC Block 22, and San Rafael in Mandurriao District; Avanceña, Poblacion, San Antonio, South Fundidor, and Taal in Molo District; Aguinaldo and Lopez Jaena Sur in La Paz; Loboc and Punong in Lapuz; and Javellana in Jaro and San Jose in Arevalo.

The eight barangays earlier declared drug-cleared were Ed Ganzon, Roxas Village, Sampaguita, and San Jose in City Proper; Luna and Sta. Isabel in Jaro; Banuyao, La Paz; and Quezon, Arevalo.

PDEA-Western Visayas chairs the Regional Oversight Committee with member representatives from the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Health, Philippine National Police, and local government units.

The Dangerous Drugs Board sets guidelines for drug-cleared barangay 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 the Sangguniang Kabataan to maintain drug-free community; awareness, preventive education and information programs; and voluntary and compulsory drug treatment rehabilitation processing desk. (PR)