BARANGAY Umapad officially became Mandaue City's 22nd drug-cleared barangay on Tuesday, June 24, 2025.
As a result, it received a P500,000 incentive from the Mandaue City Government.
Mandaue City Mayor Glenn Bercede confirmed the incentive's release in an interview on Thursday, June 26, 2025.
“Kadawat napod to sila sa incentives nila. Naay P500,000 every barangay nga drug-free,” Bercede said.
(They have received their incentives. Each drug-free barangay gets P500,000.)
This incentive program stems from a resolution passed by the Mandaue City Council on July 11, 2022. The resolution authorizes the City to provide P500,000 to barangays that achieve drug-cleared status, validated by the Regional Oversight Committee on Barangay Drug Clearing (ROCBDC) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
The funds aim to help drug-cleared barangays sustain their progress through local projects.
Mayor Bercede urged other barangays to continue their anti-drug efforts and maintain sustainability. "We are urging the barangay captains to continue maintaining their drug-free status. There must be sustainability," he added.
Umapad earned its drug-cleared status after a successful deliberation by the ROCBDC. The declaration took place with officials from the Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and various barangay officials present.
Coinciding with Umapad's milestone, Mandaue City is also celebrating the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (IDADAIT) today, June 26. The City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (CADAC) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Office (SAMHSO) are spearheading the event.
This year's theme, "The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention," focuses on the need for science-based, humane approaches to drug prevention and treatment. Keynote speakers, including Aaron Stephen Alquero of the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) and Hazel Joy Garcia of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), are leading discussions on national strategies, the medical and mental health impacts of substance use, and strengthening community initiatives.
Current Drug-Cleared and Drug-Affected Barangays
The updated list of drug-cleared barangays in Mandaue includes Bakilid, Tawason, Subangdaku, Tingub, Paknaan, Casili, Opao, Tabok, Basak, Mantuyong, Canduman, Casuntingan, Cambaro, Ibabao-Estancia, Banilad, Cubacub, Guizo, Labogon, Pagsabungan, Cabancalan, Maguikay, and Umapad.
Five barangays in Mandaue City remain drug-affected: Centro, Alang-Alang, Jagobiao, Looc, and Tipolo. These areas are undergoing intensive interventions and preparations to qualify for future ROCBDC deliberations and validation. (Jeanette Arinque, Holy Name University Intern)