Only 3.51 percent of barangays in Western Visayas are drug-affected, with only 119 villages yet to be deliberated for the Barangay Drug Clearing Program, data from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) showed on Wednesday, July 30.

The latest data showed that 3,389 barangays in the region, or 96.49 percent, are cleared of illegal drugs. Of these, 1,963 were declared cleared, while 1,307 others are already drug-free.

Aklan, Antique, and Guimaras have 100 percent drug-cleared barangays.

Capiz is still left with 30 drug-affected barangays, six in Iloilo province, and 83 in Iloilo City.

PDEA-6 Director II Ralph Rommel Torres, in a media interview on Tuesday afternoon, said he ordered the revalidation of previously cleared barangays if they are still drug-cleared.

During their last deliberation, 230 barangays retained their drug-cleared status; however, 11 were each issued a Certificate of Identified Drug Personalities (CIDP).

Barangays with a resurgence of such personalities will have 60 days to take appropriate action, otherwise, their status will revert to being drug-affected.

“We will give attention to the barangay drug clearing program. This program is effective in our fight against illegal drugs,” Torres said.

To further strengthen the campaign, PDEA has coordinated with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources for the orientation of fisherfolk on identifying illegal drugs.

“Considering that we are an archipelago, our coastline is long and our borders are porous. Hence, we asked for the cooperation of everyone, including our fisherfolk,” Torres said.

The ongoing initiative has already engaged fisherfolk from Capiz, Aklan, and Antique.

The prevention education lectures covered topics, such as drug classification, focusing on identifying shabu, marijuana, and ecstasy.

They were also oriented on what to do when they happen to see drugs floating in coastal waters and possible violations when they keep or sell the recovered illegal substance.

Torres said they are not discounting the possibility of drugs floating in the waters, like in Luzon.

Meanwhile, he said that they are happy that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr has recognized their efforts when he mentioned the PDEA’s accomplishments during his State of the Nation Address on Monday.PNA