BANGUED, Abra – The Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (Padac) is eyeing barangays in the province to be drug-cleared by 2021.
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Abra Provincial Officer Emerson Joshua Santiago reported that of the province’s 303 barangays, 37 are drug affected as declared by the Oversight Committee on Barangay Drug Clearing. Eleven barangays were submitted for validation and deliberation.
Last Dec. 3, the Oversight Committee declared barangays Abaquid, Pangal, Danglas, Cabaruan, and Caupasan in Danglas; Luzong and Nagbuquel-Tuquipa in Luba; Calumbaya in Dolores; Labon in Bucay; San Juan West in San Juan; and Dalayap in Langiden as drug-cleared.
Santiago has high hopes that the remaining 26 barangays will be cleared next year for a drug-cleared province.
He said a drug-cleared barangay does not mean that illegal drug activities are not likely to happen or drug personalities would not operate in the area anymore.
This is why he urged the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (Badac) to work closely with the municipal and provincial ADACs to sustain drug-free communities.
He also recommended for Madacs and Badacs to continuously hold trainings for rehabilitation of practitioners to strengthen the operations of community-based drug rehabilitation programs in their areas.
To fortify anti-illegal drug campaign in Abra, Padac Chairperson, Gov. Jocelyn Bernos instructed municipal mayors to work out for the establishment of their respective Bahay Silangan rehabilitation centers.
To date, only Danglas, Tayum, and Bucay have Bahay Silangan.
PDEA-Abra has assured to work with the local government units to put an end to all illegal drug activities in the province. – Christian Tubadeza
