CITY OF ILAGAN, Isabela (PIA) - - The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) - Regional Office 2 has officially declared the Cities of Cauayan and Ilagan as the first drug-cleared cities in the the Cagayan Valley Region and in the country after a thorough deliberation of the Regional Oversight Committee on Barangay Drug Clearing.

During the declaration held at Hotel Carmelita, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, on June 27, PDEA-2 Regional Director Levi S. Ortiz lauded the efforts made by the police, local government unit officials, and other stakeholders in the two cities to attain the status of drug-cleared cities.

"The efforts and cooperation of the police, LGU officials, and stakeholders have resulted in the declaration as drug-cleared cities of Cauayan and Ilagan after passing the requirement set by the oversight committee," Ortiz said.

Cauayan City Mayor Caesar Dy Jr. said the city government will do its best to maintain its status as a drug-cleared city and called on all sectors in the city to cooperate in maintaining the status as a drug-cleared city.

Aside from the cities of Cauayan and Ilagan, the northern Isabela town of Tumauini was also declared a drug-cleared municipality. 

The declaration of drug-cleared cities and municipalities to the LGUs is part of the Barangay Drug Clearing Program based on Dangerous Drug Board Regulation No. 3 series of 2017, which aims to eradicate illegal drug activities in the barangays in the country. (MDCT/MGE/PIA Isabela)