Koronadal aims to clear 27 barangays from illegal drugs
The City of Koronadal is aiming that all its 27 barangays would be declared as drug-cleared by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency XII (PDEA XII) this year.
In a joint City Peace and Order Council and City Anti-Drug Abuse Council meeting on June 30, 2020, CADAC Action Officer Ret. General Agustin Dema-ala entreated the 27 barangays to earn the drug-cleared status by religiously complying to the parameters set by the PDEA. Further, Dema-ala shared that out of the 27 barangays, 17 had summitted their complete documents – all subject for validation.
In determining barangay drug-affectation, the agency used three basic parameters to include; slightly affected, moderately affected, and seriously affected based on the reported presence of drug pushers and users. A barangay will be tagged as seriously affected if there is a reported presence of any of the following: clandestine drug laboratory, warehouse, marijuana plantation, drug den/tiangge, drug trafficking or smuggling activities, and drug personalities such as users, pushers, financiers, protectors, cultivators, manufacturers and others.
On the other hand, Community Based-Rehabilitation Program (CBRP) holder Mylene B. Seliote,RN announced that 18 Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) successfully completed the 6-month CBRP and already received their Certificates of Completion. After the CBRP, they will be subjected to an 18-month aftercare treatment program to avoid the recurrence of drug abuse or relapse. The “after-care” program will help them slowly be integrated back into society. They can also avail of DSWD’s cash-for-work program, or TESDA’s livelihood training program to start a new life outside the rehab center or prison cell.
Also, Action Officer Dema-ala stressed on the important role of the barangay in eradicating drugs in the community and in achieving a drug-free city. Once cleared, the council will work to ensure that drug-free barangays will maintain their status.