7 more drug-cleared barangays in Lapu-Lapu

CEBU, Philippines — Seven more barangays in Lapu-Lapu City have been certified as drug-cleared bringing to 12 the total number of drug-cleared barangays in the city.

The new drug-cleared barangays of Lapu-Lapu are Sta. Rosa, San Vicente, Caubian, Calawisan, Pangan-an, Ibo, and Talima. The other barangays previously certified as drug-cleared and are able to retain their status are Barangays Sabang, Baring, Caw-oy, Tingo, and Tungasan.

The newly-certified barangays received P50,000 each and certificates from the city government and the Regional Oversight Committee on Barangay Drug Clearing Program (ROCBDC) of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) of Central Visayas.

Under the guidelines of anti-illegal drug operations, “drug-cleared” status means that all those in the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) watchlist are already accounted for and have undergone rehabilitation.

City of Lapu-Lapu Office for Substance Abuse Prevention (CLOSAP) head Garry Lao said that on top of the 12 drug-cleared barangays the city also has one drug-free barangay, which is Caohagan. This status indicates that no illegal drug users, pushers, or drug-related activities have been reported in Caohagan since 2019.

“(Barangay Caohagan) is the only drug-free in tri-cities of Cebu,” said Lao.

Lao also expressed hope that 70 to 80 percent of the 30 barangays of Lapu-Lapu City would be declared drug-cleared, emphasizing that this goal is achievable with the cooperation of each barangay and the continued efforts and initiatives of the PNP and PDEA-7.

Meanwhile, PDEA-7 Acting Regional Director Alex Tablate yesterday paid a courtesy call on Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan.

Tablate emphasized the crucial nature of their work considering that the local government unit has supervision and control over the barangays.

“Kinahanglan jud nato ang maayo na coordination with the LGUs particularly ang implementation nato sa barangay drug-clearing program,” said Tablate.

Tablate admitted that being the acting regional director of PDEA-7 is a "new challenge" for him compared to his previous assignments. He said Cebu is a large area which also includes three highly urbanized cities (HUCs).

On the other hand, Tablate said that due to a memorandum issued regarding the upcoming election, all deliberations for drug-clearing have been "put on hold" and will be issued next year.

Despite the temporary suspension, Tablate assured that they would continue processing the necessary papers, documentation, and other requirements in coordination with the PNP and the PDEA.

“Worst case scenario nga dili ta makapag conduct karon, rest assured nga next year ang City government of Lapu-Lapu makab-ot nato ang 50 percent and up,” said Tablate. —  (FREEMAN)