BANGUED, Abra – The Barangay Drug Clearing Program of the government continues to make a huge impact in the province as it continues to move forward under the new administration.
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Abra reported during the third Quarter Meeting of the Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (Padac) meeting that out of the 303 barangays, 191 barangays are already drug-cleared including the seven recently reported by the Regional Oversight Committee on Barangay Drug Clearing program.
There are 86 barangays that are unaffected or drug-free while 26 barangays are still to be cleared.
The recently cleared barangays are Cabaruan, Caupasan, Danglas, and Dalayap in Danglas; Luzong, Luba; San Juan West, Pilar; and Poblacion, San Quintin.
PDEA-Abra Assistant Provincial Officer Cindy Leila Aben-Sanchez said they will continuously enforce the government’s campaign against illegal drugs with the support of other agencies and local government units.
“Hopefully, we can clear the drug-affected barangays the soonest and we are currently processing the clearing of the remaining barangays now,” Sanchez said.
She said a local executive order in support for a drug-free place, related ordinances, and the establishment of “Balay-Silangan” or reformation centers for drug offenders are among the requirements to be cleared.
There are eight towns in the province with Balay-Silangan, namely Bucay, Daguioman, Danglas, Lagayan, Peñarrubia, Tayum, Tineg, and Tubo.
Vice Gov. Joy Bernos, Padac vice chairperson, encouraged other LGUs to expedite their application for the drug-clearing program for Abra to be eventually declared as drug-cleared province.
Bernos also instructed the municipal anti-drug abuse councils (Madacs) to include PDEA as a member in their local councils to gain better technical assistance from the agency. Thirteen Madacs were recognized as highly functional for year 2021. These are Bucay, Danglas, Dolores, La Paz, Lacub, Peñarrubia, Pilar, San Juan, San Quintin, Tayum, Tineg, Tubo, and Villaviciosa. – Christian Allister Tubadeza
