BANGUED, Abra (PIA) – The Barangay Drug Clearing Program  of the government continues to make a huge impact here in the province as it continues to move forward under the new administration.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Abra reported during the 3rd Quarter Meeting of the Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC) that out of the 303 barangays, 191 barangays are already drug-cleared including the seven which were recently reported by the Regional Oversight Committee on Barangay Drug Clearing program. There are  86 barangays  that are unaffected or drug-free while 26 barangays are still to be cleared.

The recently cleared barangays are Cabaruan, Caupasan, Danglas and Dalayap in the municipality of Danglas; Luzong in the municipality of Luba; San Juan West in Pilar, and Poblacion in San Quintin.

PDEA-Abra Assistant Provincial Officer Cindy Leila Aben-Sanchez assured that they will continuously enforce the government’s campaign against illegal-drug activities with the support of other agencies and the local government units (LGUs) in the province.

“Hopefully, we can clear the drug-affected barangays the soonest and we are currently processing the clearing of the remaining barangays now,” Sanchez said.

She reminded the requirements which including a local executive order in support for a drug-free place and other related ordinance and the establishment of “Balay-Silangan” or   reformation centers for  drug offenders.

To date, there are eight towns in the province with established ‘Balay-Silangan’  namely  Bucay, Daguioman, Danglas, Lagayan, Peñarrubia, Tayum, Tineg, and Tubo.

Vice Gov. Joy Bernos, the  PADAC Vice-Chairperson,  encouraged the other  LGUs to expedite their application for the drug-clearing program for Abra to be eventually declared as drug-cleared province.

Bernos also instructed the MADACs to include PDEA as a member in their local councils to gain a better technical assistance from the Agency.

Meanwhile, 13 MADACs were recognized as highly functional for year 2021. These are Bucay, Danglas, Dolores, La Paz, Lacub, Peñarrubia, Pilar, San Juan, San Quintin, Tayum, Tineg, Tubo and Villaviciosa. (JDP/CAGT–PIA CAR, Abra)