DUMAGUETE CITY, Jan. 22 (PIA) – Of the 557 total barangays in Negros Oriental, 208 have already been declared as drug-cleared in 2023.

This was reported by Philippine Drugs Enforcement Agency (PDEA) here in a recent Provincial Peace and Order Council meeting in Dumaguete City.

According to PDEA provincial officer and intelligence agent Jane Tuadles, 11 barangays were deliberated for confirmation as drug-cleared in December 2023 by the Regional Oversight Committee on Barangay Drug Clearing.

The barangays are Luz in Guihulngan City; Lacaon, Mahanlud, Mongpong, and Tamao in Jimalalud town; Bagtic, Nasunggan, and South Poblacion in La Libertad town; Poblacion and Simborio of Pamplona; and Calabnugan of Sibulan.

Currently, Tuadles said the province has 53 barangays that were declared as drug-free.

She attributes the government's success in the drug-clearing operations to the assistance of barangays officials through the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC) and the Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC).

In a press statement, Libertad Mayor Emmanueel 'MM' Limkaichong Iway said his town now have 23 drug-cleared barangays and one drug-free barangay.

“This achievement reflects the dedication and commitment of the local government, law enforcement agencies, and the entire community in La Libertad towards the common goal of creating a safer and healthier environment for its residents,” said Limkaichong.

Meanwhile, the anti-narcotics campaign of PDEA has seized 1,250.99 grams of shabu and arrested 34 drug personalities during its 16 anti-illegal drugs operations in 2023.

However, Tuadles said Dumaguete City remains a transshipment point for illegal drugs through its seaports and airport.

She said the wharfs and ports in the city have been identified as drug entry points as they provide easy access to and from the Visayas and Mindanao.

The PDEA chief showed seven transshipment points where illegal drugs pass through: Toledo – San Carlos, Bato-Amlan, IloIlo-Bacolod, Tangil- Guihulngan, Tabuela-Escalante, Dapitan-Dumaguete, and Manila-Dumaguete.

Tuadles sought the public’s cooperation as she encouraged citizens to take an active role in the fight against illegal drugs.

“With our aggressive supply reduction efforts, we also urge the public to cooperate to lessen the drug menace or proliferation of illegal drugs in drug-affected barangays, as we are now gaining ground in freeing some barangays in the province from illegal drugs.” (JCT/PIA7 Negros Oriental)