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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