• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Some 211 barangays in Negros Occidental, Aklan, Antique and Guimaras have retained their status as “drug-cleared”, according to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
This was the result of the 53rd Regional Oversight Committee deliberations on the Barangay Drug Clearing Program held on June 25.
The deliberations were participated by the anti-drug abuse councils of Cauayan, Hinoba-an, La Castellana, Sagay City, Murcia, San Enrique, Valladolid and Victorias City in Negros Occidental; Banga, Ibajay, Tangalan, Altavas, Balete, Lezo, Malay and New Washington in Aklan; Buenavista, Jordan, Nueva Valencia, San Lorenzo and Sibunag in Guimaras; and Barbaza in Antique.
The PDEA report added that 26 barangays were qualified to submit their applications for retention of their drug-free status while 56 barangays were issued a certified inventory of drug personalities, wherein the barangay anti-drug abuse councils were ordered to take appropriate action on the reported drug activities upon receipt of the resolution.
Failure to do so will be a ground for revocation of their drug-cleared status, it added.
The Oversight Committee congratulated the 211 barangays and reminded them to remain vigilant and proactive, and to act promptly on any reported drug activities. | GB
