CALOOCAN CITY, July 29 (PIA) --The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has declared a total of 18,582 barangays nationwide as cleared from illegal drugs from July 1, 2016 to May 31, 2020.
In a statement, the PDEA said these barangays have reached drug-cleared status after issuance of a certification by members of the Oversight Committee on Barangay Drug-Clearing Program.
The Oversight Committee, which is chaired by PDEA, is composed of provincial representatives of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of Health (DOH) and LGUs.
According to PDEA there are still 15,388 drug-affected barangays that needed to be cleared by June 2022.
PDEA Director General Wilkins M Villanueva said that these barangays represent 36.6 percent of 42,045 barangays in the country that are still plagued by illegal drugs.
“There are 702 days to go before the deadline on ending the country’s drug problem as committed by the President to the Filipino people. PDEA’s self-imposed countdown creates a higher sense of urgency, no matter how difficult the challenge is,” Villanueva said.
Posters with countdown days were seen hanging inside offices in the PDEA National Headquarters in Quezon City, Regional Offices and Provincial and District Offices nationwide, to serve as a visual reminder on what needs to get done.
To accomplish the task, the PDEA Barangay Drug Clearing Program Working Group for Monitoring and Validation (PB-WMV) was created to fast-track the implementation of drug-clearing operations in the communities. This will accelerate efforts to prevent the proliferation of illegal drugs in the barangays.
The Barangay Drug Clearing Program (BDCP) encompasses a holistic and whole-of-nation approach in addressing the drug problem by enlisting the participation of local government units (LGUs), government agencies, and various stakeholders of the national anti-drug campaign.
According to Villanueva, although it is a challenge in the face of the pandemic situation, concerned agencies and LGUs should continue their programs in ensuring the treatment of drug users either in residential and community-based rehabilitation centers, while offering interventions for surrendering drug pushers. After treatment, reformers will undergo the social rehabilitation phase. This will provide them employment opportunities and regain their dignity and place in our society.
“Whatever the surrounding circumstances, we should reduce the demand. No market for illegal drugs means no drug trade can prosper,” Villanueva noted. (PDEA/PIA-NCR)
Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)
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