A MOUNTAIN barangay is the first village in Talisay City to be declared drug-free by the Regional Anti-Drug Abuse Council.
Barangay Tapul is the only barangay in Talisay City to have been declared drug-free since President Rodrigo Duterte came to power in 2016.
In a statement on his official Facebook page, Talisay City Mayor Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas Jr. said he was happy that one of their barangays was finally declared drug-free after many years.
“For so many years, we have been plagued by illegal drugs in all of our barangays. The illegal drug situation in our city has left a stain in our city. With Tapul now drug-free, we can finally focus on the other barangays in clearing their illegal drug status,” Gullas said.
Before Tapul’s declaration as drug-free, Talisay City was frequently mentioned by President Duterte as a haven for illegal drug users.
Following the President’s declarations, local police and local officials led by Gullas have stepped up efforts to quash the city’s illegal drug trade.
Gullas said that since he started as mayor in 2019, around 700 drug personalities have been arrested by local police and more than P50 million worth of illegal drugs have been confiscated.
Aside from operating against illegal drug sellers, Gullas said their drug rehabilitation and aftercare program has also helped prevent addicts from further using illegal drugs. (JKV)