LEGAZPI: The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) reported on Tuesday that 3,024 out of 3,471 villages in the Bicol (Region 5) have been cleared of illegal drugs.

“The active participation of the local government units (LGUs) that are on the frontline in achieving drug-cleared communities and the support of other stakeholders accomplished the said number,” Edgar Jubay, PDEA-5 regional director, said during the 1st Regional Drug Summit here.

He said Bicol can attain a drug-cleared region status within two years.

“More or less two years. If we follow the phasing, kayang-kaya natin drug-cleared ‘yan (More or less two years. If we follow the phasing, we can be drug-cleared) after two years,” he said.

Among the provinces, Catanduanes and Sorsogon are near to achieving a drug-cleared status with only four remaining villages each yet to be cleared.

“With close coordination with our different law enforcement agencies, we are monitoring and coordinating to secure the different borders of Bicol to stop the mo
vement of illegal drugs,” he said.

Jubay said anti-illegal drug operations in drug-cleared LGUs are part of the sustainability of the status.

“A drug-cleared LGU is a great achievement for local chief executives and the best testament to their dedication to maintaining peace and order in their community. It will also give a big boost in their bid for the Seal of Good Local Governance. Economically, the drug-cleared status would attract investors and provide jobs and taxes,” he added.

Among the parameters for barangays to be declared drug-cleared are non-availability of drug supply; absence of drug transit/transshipment activity; absence of clandestine drug laboratory, clandestine drug warehouse, marijuana cultivation site and protector/coddler and financier; active involvement of community officials in anti-drug activities; and existence of drug awareness, preventive education and information, and other related programs, among others.

Source: Philippines News Agency