Central Visayas Advances Drug-Free Barangays
Nearly 30 additional barangays in Central Visayas have officially been declared drug-cleared, following a recent review by the Regional Oversight Committee on the Barangay Drug Clearing Program. This marks a significant step forward in the ongoing campaign to promote drug-free communities across the region.
The committee, led by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Central Visayas, approved the status for 26 barangays after a careful and thorough evaluation process. According to local sources familiar with the matter, six of these newly drug-cleared barangays are located in Bohol, 13 in Cebu province, five in Cebu City, and two in Mandaue City.
Stringent Process Ensures Genuine Drug-Cleared Status
Out of the 3,003 barangays in the region, 1,968 have now earned the drug-cleared status. This achievement is far from easy, as the barangays must meet strict documentary requirements and undergo extensive house-to-house visits. Community-based drug rehabilitation programs and aftercare efforts are also mandatory parts of the process.
A community leader involved in the campaign explained, “This is a significant achievement especially for the local government units because it is not easy to have a barangay declared as drug-cleared. There’s so many documentary requirements and it’s not easy to conduct house-to-house visits, implement intervention through the community-based drug rehab program and there is also the aftercare.”
Ongoing Vigilance Needed to Sustain Drug-Cleared Barangays
Achieving drug-cleared status does not mean the fight against illegal drugs ends. Continuous monitoring remains crucial to prevent the reintroduction of illegal substances. Barangay officials are urged to watch for new arrivals and suspicious activities within their communities.
One community expert emphasized, “It is the obligation of the barangays to monitor people arriving in their areas as well as monitoring possible illegal drug activities happening in their places.” This ongoing vigilance helps maintain the safety and progress made in these communities.
The declaration of more drug-cleared barangays in Central Visayas highlights the region’s commitment to creating safer and healthier environments. It also reflects the hard work of local government units and community members dedicated to combating illegal drug use.
For more news and updates on drug-cleared barangays, visit Filipinokami.com.