3,534 barangays now drug-free — PDEA

The fight on illegal drugs still continues to be showing positive outputs even with the challenge the administration faces on killings related to the war on drugs.
In a report by Philippine News Agency (PNA), it was mentioned that out of the 42,036 barangays in the Philippines, a total of 3,534 (8{c694ba250d0a83b584f013ff0bed3e27b9602f69a246e5b35f892dff90915d09}) have already been cleared of drugs as output of the government’s anti-narcotics advocacy.
The said barangays were issued with certification by the Oversight Committee on Barangay Drug-Clearing Program chaired by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and composed of provincial representatives of the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Interior and Local Government and the Philippine National Police(PNP)  for reaching Drug-Cleared Status.

According to the PDEA director, Dir. Gen. Aaron N. Aquino who disclosed the update on the list of the Drug Free Barangays, before one be declared free from illegal drug activities, the committee must convene for to observe the validity that drugs is no more available in the area and there should already be the non existence of any drug activity, underground drug laboratory and any chemical warehouse, marijuana cultivation area, pusers, users and even a drug den.

There are three parameters set forth by the Dangerous Drug Board (DDB) provided in Section 8, DDB BDDB Board Regulation No. 3 Series of 2017, otherwise known as “Strengthening the Implementation of the Barangay Drug-Clearing Program” which are:

1.    Slightly affected

2.    Moderately affected and

3.    Seriously affected

The barangay is said to be seriously affected when there is the presence of a drug laborator, den, dive or resord, marijuana plantation in the community and is considered to be moderately affected if the barangay has the presence of the user/s of illegal drug personality of a barangay. 

For this DDB board regulation, the first ever drug free barangay was Batanes at June 2, 2017, and during the monthly update on “#RealNumbers” the PDEA reported that with their efforts, there were 9 underground shabu laboratory, and 163 drug dens that were destroyed on the month of June 2016 to September 2017, and during the same period, more that 18 million worth of illegal drugs were held in this operation.

In the report was also mentioned of the real numbers of the killings and death of both victims, accused and even law enforcers where included in the report.

Aside from the mentioned agencies earlier, the National Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Customs are also involved with the fight against illegal drugs in the philippiens.

The PDEA chair also mentioned of the process and procedures of the committee when issues of minor were raised, it was noted that 583 minors were rescued and were brought for rehabilitation which the Department of Social Welfare as one of the committee member could process the program and transfer of the minors to the rehabilitation center.

Source:  PNA