MINALIN town was declared drug-cleared by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Central Luzon during Monday's flag raising ceremony held at the town hall.
PDEA-Central Luzon Director Lyndon Aspacio led the ceremonial declaration and awarding of plaque of recognition to Mayor Edgar Flores and Police Major Fernando Tolentino, the town's police chief.
The accolade came after the town's 15 villages successfully complied with the parameters and requirements set forth by the Barangay Drug Clearing Committee and the Dangerous Drugs Board, Aspacio said.
Among the parameters and requirements set were the complete eradication of illegal drugs, as well as the pushers and users, and the establishment of Community Based Rehabilitation Program, he added.
Flores credited the award to the unity exercised by the local government, municipal police force, and the Minaleño community.
"Hindi lang ito trabaho ng mga nanunungkulan, ng mga kapulisan o kapitan ng mga barangay (This is not only the job of those in public office, police, or village chiefs). Ito ay trabaho nating lahat (this is our job)," he said.
Tolentino urged the residents to be united in maintaining the drug-cleared status of the town by reporting any illegal drug-related activities they notice.
This municipality is the fourth to be declared drug-cleared in Pampanga after Masantol, San Luis, and San Simon, which are all in the province's fourth district.