THE number of drug-cleared barangays in Central Visayas, including the provinces of Negros Oriental and Siquijor, has reached 1,968 after 26 more barangays were declared drug cleared on Thursday, May 22, 2025.
Leia Alcantara, information officer of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Central Visayas (PDEA 7), said most of the newly declared drug cleared barangays are in Cebu province, with 13 barangays, including: Barangay Poblacion Looc in Dumanjug, Bato in Badian, Masaba in Danao City, Mangyan in Sibonga, Poblacion 1 in Carcar City, Macaas in Catmon, Pugtod and Lagunde in Oslob, Hingatmonan and Biasong in Balamban, San Rafael in Barili, Kalangahan in Tuburan, and Tinaan in Naga City.
This was followed by Bohol province with six drug-cleared barangays: Bilangbilangan in Tubigon; Montesuerte, Montisunting, and Matin-ao in Carmen town; and Bulilis and Humayhumay in Ubay town.
Meanwhile, five barangays in Cebu City — Bonbon, Bulacao, Pardo, Pahina San Nicolas, and T. Padilla — and two in Mandaue City — Cabancalan and Maguikay — were also declared drug cleared.
Alcantara addressed concerns from those questioning how five barangays in Cebu City, a highly urbanized area, could be cleared, explaining that, as with past validations and deliberations, it is difficult for a barangay to be declared drug cleared unless all requirements are met.
She noted that all drug personalities on the validated watchlists of PDEA 7 and the Philippine National Police (PNP) — whether pushers or users — must undergo house visitations, be encouraged to surrender, and enroll in a community-based drug rehabilitation program.
This process determines whether those on the PDEA and PNP lists are still active in illegal activities. If they are no longer residing in the barangay, there must be documentation to prove this. Without proper accountability, the barangay cannot be declared drug cleared.
Alcantara said that out of the 3,003 barangays in the region, 70 percent have already been declared drug cleared, while the remaining 30 percent — those still affected by the drug problem — remain the target of PDEA in the coming years. (AYB)