By Dominic B. dela Cruz
Staff reporter
PDEA investigation agent V Lani Bel C. Ancheta along with Laoag police chief Mar Louise Bundoc, city DILG officer Janet Duarte and Laoag Mayor Chevylle V. Fariñas pose with the 20 “drug-cleared” and “non-drug affected” barangays represented by their respective punong barangay after they received their certification. (Doms dela Cruz)
Laoag City—The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) based in Ilocos Norte has declared 17 barangays in this city as “drug cleared” and three “non-drug affected” barangays.
PDEA made the declaration on April 1, 2019 after the flag-raising ceremony at the Laoag City hall.
The 20 “cleared” barangays were represented by their respective punong barangay. They received a certification from the Dangerous Drugs Board.
The barangays are Brgys. 30-B Sta Maria, 37 Calayab, 32-B La Paz West, 33-A La Paz Proper, 33-B La Paz Proper, 31 Talingaan, 29 Sto. Tomas, 26 San Marcelino, 27 Nra Sra De Soledad, 60-B Madiladig, 55-C Vira, 55-B Salet Bulangon, 52-A san Mateo, 30-A Suyo, 35 Gabu Sur, 34-B Gabu East and 4 San Guillermo.
The non-drug affected barangays, on the other hand are Brgys. 58 Casili, 32-A La Paz East and 55-A Barit.
PDEA investigation agent V Lanie Bel C. Ancheta hopes that the remaining barangays in the city will also be cleared soon.
Ms. Ancheta disclosed that she recently met with the police, the local DILG office and the City Health Office and asked their help in closely monitoring and in increasing the number of drug-cleared barangay in the city.
To be declared as a “drug-cleared” barangay, all those who have surrendered in the said Barangay should have undergone and “graduated” from the community-based rehabilitation program; passed a drug test; joined anti-drug activities in the barangay and active in the Barangay Drug Abuse Council.
Ms. Ancheta said PDEA is the implementing arm of the Dangerous Drugs Board and its mission is to conduct anti-drug operations including “buy-bust” operations, implementations of search warrants and raids to arrest drug personalities and confiscate illegal drugs.
Likewise, PDEA also conducts “demand reduction” schemes that includes programs educating the community, students and other NGOs or institutions on the effects and consequences of drug abuse.
They also coordinate with the other agencies—barangays and LGUs for the clearing of Ilocos Norte from illegal drugs.
As of press time, Ms. Ancheta said that more than 50 percent of the total drug-affected barangays, or a total of 283 Barangays out of 520 had been cleared in Ilocos Norte.
She also reported that eight municipalities in the province were already declared “drug-free” municipalities.
PDEA was created in 2002 and has only regional offices. Its Region I office is located in San Fernando City, La Union.
However, due to the ongoing “war on drugs” implemented by the Duterte administration, PDEA has since created provincial offices.
In 2017, the PDEA Ilocos Norte office was created and is presently located temporarily at the Laoag City General Hospital (LCGH).