3 Iloilo City barangays declared drug-free

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Three barangays in Iloilo City have been declared as drug-free by the Regional Oversight Committee on Barangay Drug-Clearing Operation.

Barangays Luna and Santa Isabel in Jaro district, and Sampaguita in City Proper have been cleared from drugs after they have complied with the parameters on drug-cleared barangays as set in Section 6 of the Dangerous Drugs Board Regulation No. 3, Series of 2017.

“We would like to congratulate these three barangays and their officials for being declared as drug-free or drug cleared,” said Iloilo City Mayor Jose Espinosa III.

The drug-free barangay certificate was signed by Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-6 Regional Director Wardley Getalla who is the chairperson of the Oversight Committee; Department of the Interior and Local Government Regional Director Atty. Anthony Nuyda who sits as vice chairperson of committee; Department of Health (DOH)-6 Regional Director Marlyn Convocar and Police Regional Office (PRO)-6 Director Chief Supt. Cesar Hawthorne Binag who are members of the committee; and Mayor Espinosa.

The barangays were cited after finding out that there was non-availability of drug supply, absence of drug transit or transshipment activity; absence of clandestine drug laboratory and drug warehouse; absence of clandestine chemical warehouse; absence of marijuana cultivation site; absence of drug den, dive, or resort; absence of drug pusher; absence of drug user or dependent; absence of protector or coddler or financier; active involvement of barangay officials in anti-drug activities; active involvement of SK to help maintain the drug-cleared status of the barangay; existence of drug awareness, preventive education and information and other related programs; and existence of voluntary and compulsory drug treatment and rehabilitation processing desk.

Espinosa issued an Executive Order (E.O.) No. 124 on Nov. 16 creating the Barangay Drug- Clearing Program Assistance (ICBDCPA Team).

The team is assigned to closely coordinate in all barangays, assess drug-clearing program’s present status and to coordinate with the concerned agencies such as PDEA, PNP, and DILG and other government agencies and offices for further clarification or assistance necessary for the declaration of drug free.

The team is headed by City Administrator Hernando Galvez with Vice Chair Rommel Castro, designated-senior executive assistant. The members are lawyers Love Faith Hayco and Jhanrey Gonzaga of City Legal Office, Legal Assistant Rudiver Jungco Jr., Customer Care Center Director Eireen Manikan, Public Information Officer Ma. Lucy Sinay, and Youth Development Officer Rey Jason Gregorio.

“The team is also helping other barangays that will be soon declared as drug-free,” said Espinosa. (By Merianne Grace Ereñeta/ Iloilo City PIO)

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