According to data from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) released on Wednesday, only 3.51 percent of barangays in Western Visayas are classified as drug-affected, with 119 villages still pending deliberation for the Barangay Drug Clearing Program.
The latest figures indicate that out of 3,389 barangays in the region, 96.49 percent are cleared of illegal drugs. Specifically, 1,963 barangays have been officially declared cleared, while an additional 1,307 are recognized as drug-free. Notably, Aklan, Antique, and Guimaras have achieved 100 percent drug-cleared status.
However, Capiz still has 30 drug-affected barangays, Iloilo province has six, and Iloilo City has 83.
PDEA 6 (Western Visayas) Director II Ralph Rommel Torres stated in a media interview on Tuesday that he has ordered the revalidation of previously cleared barangays to ensure they maintain their drug-free status. During the last deliberation, 230 barangays retained their drug-cleared status; however, 11 were issued a Certificate of Identified Drug Personalities (CIDP).
Barangays that experience a resurgence of identified drug personalities will have 60 days to take appropriate action; otherwise, their status will revert to being drug-affected. “We will give attention to the barangay drug clearing program. This program is effective in our fight against illegal drugs,” Torres emphasized.
To further bolster the campaign, PDEA has collaborated with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to provide orientation for fisherfolk on identifying illegal drugs. “Considering that we are an archipelago, our coastline is long and our borders are porous. Hence, we asked for the cooperation of everyone, including our fisherfolk,” Torres explained.
The ongoing initiative has already engaged fisherfolk from Capiz, Aklan, and Antique. The prevention education lectures covered topics such as drug classification, with a focus on identifying shabu, marijuana, and ecstasy. Fisherfolk were also instructed on how to respond if they encounter drugs floating in coastal waters and the potential legal violations associated with keeping or selling recovered illegal substances.
Torres noted that they are not discounting the possibility of drugs floating in the waters, similar to incidents reported in Luzon. He also expressed gratitude that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. acknowledged their efforts by mentioning the PDEA’s accomplishments during his State of the Nation Address on Monday.
