Laoag City council lauds 34 ‘drug cleared’, ‘non-drug affected’ barangays

By Dominic B. dela Cruz

Staff Reporter

Laoag City—The Laoag City Sangguniang Panlungsod has commended 34 barangays in the city for being “drug cleared” and “non-drug affected barangays”.

Laoag councilor Jaybee G. Baquiran reported the cleared barangays through a resolution commending them in their fight against illegal drugs.

The said barangays’ Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC) disseminated information regarding illegal drugs’ bad effects to health and that they were able to convince their respective constituents not to use and distribute any illegal drugs in their barangays.      

The commendation was based on a certification issued by Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Provincial Intelligence Officer III Dheo Aurio A. Tabor as of December 28, 2019 and by the Regional Oversight Committee in accordance with the Dangerous Drug Board entitled “Strengthening the Implementation of Barangay Drug Clearing Program.

The 31 drug cleared Barangays are 35 Gabu Sur, 29 Sto. Tomas Segundo, 30-A Suyo, 5-B, 33-B La Paz Proper, 37 Calayab, 52-A San Mateo, 55-C Vira, 27 Nuestra Senora de Soledad, 32-B La Paz West, 33- La Paz Proper, 4 San Guillermo, 30-B Sta. Maria, 60-B Madiladig, 34-B Gabu Norte, 26 San Marcelino, 31 Talingaan, 16 San Jacinto, 11 Sta. Balbina, 3 Nuestra Senora Del Rosario, 62-A Navotas, 52-B Lataag, 51-A Nangalisan, 51-b Nangalisan, 13 Nuestra Senora de Visitacion, 15 San Guillermo, 18 San Quirino, 34-A Gabu Norte, 41 Balacad, 61 Cataban ad 39 Sta. Rosa.

Records show that these barangays had drug pushers and drug users but these individuals underwent drug clearing process with the concerted efforts of the Laoag City government, Ilocos Norte provincial government, the Department of Health, the Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Office, Laoag City Police Station, Department of Interior and Local Government and PDEA.

In a separate measure, Mr. Baquiran also passed three resolutions commending Brgys. 32-A La Paz East, 58 Casili and 55-A Barit as “non-drug affected barangays”.

On December 11, 2019, certificates of “Non-Drug Affected Barangays” were issued to these three barangays as per validation and assessment by the PDEA Regional Oversight Committee chaired by Regional Director Bryan B. Rabang.

City DILG officer Janet Duarte confirmed that Laoag City has now a total of 34 drug cleared and non-drug affected barangays as of December 2019.

A barangay can only be declared as “drug free” or free from illegal drug activities if they comply with the following requirements: non-availability of drug supply; absence of drug den, pusher and user; absence of clandestine drug laboratory; active involvement of barangay officials in anti-drug activities; existence of drug awareness, preventive education and information; and existence of voluntary and compulsory drug treatment and rehabilitation processing desk.