The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has declared 81 drug-free barangays in northern Mindanao region as a result of their intensified anti-drug operation and drug clearing program as of June 29.
Agent Joerick S. Tacal cited during the monthly meeting of the Regional Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee (RLECC) region 10 that the province of Misamis Occidental has the most number of drug-free barangays with 43; Misamis Oriental, 18; Camiguin, 12; and Bukidnon, eight. Lanao del Norte, however, has not declared a single barangay yet.
Based on the Dangerous Drug Board, before a certain barangay will be declared as drug-free, it must undergo assessment and validation with the chief of police and certified by the mayor, PDEA, the Department of Health and Department of the Interior Local Government before the issuance of certificate for drug-free.
These parameters include non-availability of drug supply; absence of drug transit/transshipment activity; absence of clandestine drug laboratory; absence of clandestine drug warehouse; absence of clandestine chemical warehouse; absence of marijuana cultivation site; absence of drug den, dive or resort; and compulsory drug treatment and rehabilitation processing desk.
Also, absence of drug pusher; absence of drug user/dependent; absence of protector/coddler/financier; active involvement of barangay officials in anti-drug activities; active involvement of Sangguniang Kabataan to help maintain the drug liberated status of the barangay; and existence of drug awareness, preventive education and information and other related programs. (pia x)
