THE index crime rate in the southwest Cebu town of Barili fell from 21 percent to 18 percent between the months of January and June of this year.
This was disclosed during the Joint Municipal Peace and Order Council and Municipal Anti-Drug Abuse Council's quarterly meeting in Barili last Tuesday, June 20, 2023.
In the same period, the crime rate in the municipality decreased as well, to 14.22 percent.
The municipality also recorded 27 barangays that have been drug-cleared as part of its continuous drug clearing operations.
Four of the 15 remaining barangays that have not yet been deemed drug-cleared are now being monitored by the authorities as potential drug-cleared candidates.
The municipality's community-based treatment program is also set to produce seventh and eighth batches of graduates.
The registration for the next batch of participants will begin on June 25.
Barili Mayor John-John Garcia believes that they will not succeed in their fight against illegal drugs without the support of the community. (ANV, TPT)