LAOAG CITY – The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Ilocos Norte reported that 91 percent of drug-affected villages in the province are drug-cleared as of March.

Data from the Barangay Drug Clearing Program showed that of the total 559 villages in Ilocos Norte, there were 525 classified as drug-affected.

However, collaborative efforts of various law enforcement agencies, local government units, partner government agencies and the community resulted in the declaration of 476 villages as drug-cleared.

A barangay is declared drug-cleared after it is previously reported as drug-affected and has successfully undergone drug-clearing efforts to rid of identified cases related to illegal drugs, according to PDEA in its report presented during the joint Provincial Peace and Order Council and Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council meeting at the capitol session hall Thursday.

Laoag City remained with the most number of drug-affected villages with 39, followed by Bangui, five; Pasuquin and San Nicolas, two each; and Badoc, one.

PDEA said it is exhausting all means to sustain the good standing of the drug-cleared villages through continuous meeting and monitoring as well as advocacy campaigns about prohibited drugs.

The agency hopes that the Philippines will achieve drug-resistant and self-policing communities by 2030. 

PDEA PHOTO