Ilocos Norte declares 9 towns, 518 brgys ‘drug-free’

Laoag City—The Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) meeting on March 14, 2018 confirmed the declaration of nine towns and 518 barangays in Ilocos Norte as “drug-free,” as per evaluation of the Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC) and the Municipal Anti-Drug Abuse Council (MADAC).

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) agent Lanibelle C. Ancheta reported that they have certified Adams, Banna, Burgos, Currimao, Dumalneg, Piddig and Vintar as “drug-free.” Mayors from each town have also received their certifications of this status.

The figure was at 84.75% or 436 barangays last December, and the PDEA-Regional Oversight Committee (ROC) has currently validated 320 barangays. The other 198 are now awaiting endorsement and subsequent validation.

According to Ms. Ancheta, the supply and demand of drugs in the province are decreasing due to effective rehabilitation and reformation programs for surrendered drug users.

“The decrease in the number of arrested persons and seizure of illegal-drugs during anti-drug operations indicates a non-availability or low supply of drugs in the province,” she explained.

Ms. Ancheta also reassures that PDEA will remain relentless in their initiatives, saying, “We in PDEA will continuously bring the anti-drug campaign to the grassroots. Law enforcers will continue to be more vigilant and sustain our strengthened efforts to suppress and prevent the entry of illegal drugs into the province.”

The province’s community-based rehabilitation program (CBRP) is also thriving, regularly conducting anti-illegal drug lectures, symposia, and dialogues among the youth, barangay health workers, school heads, barangay authorities, and other community stakeholders. (PGIN-CMO)

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