Koronadal’s 20 barangays retain ‘drug-cleared’ status
Twenty (20) barangays in the City of Koronadal retained their drug-cleared status following a stringent validation last June 2021 by the Region XII Barangay Drug Clearing Program (BDCP) oversight committee.
The decision was based on the results of the agency’s revalidation using the new parameters, which found that local anti-drug initiatives at the barangay level were being effectively implemented. The oversight committee is co-chaired by PDEA and the Department of the Interior and Local Government, includes the Department of Health and Philippine National Police.
Assessment parameters set by the Dangerous Drugs Board include “non-availability of drug supply; absence of drug-dependent, pusher, user; absence of clandestine drug laboratory; active involvement of barangay officials in anti-drug activities; the existence of drug awareness, preventive education and information programs; and the existence of voluntary and compulsory drug treatment and rehabilitation processing desks”.
The said drug clearing efforts will ensure that illegal drug surrenderees in their areas properly complete the process appropriately or complete the Community-based Rehabilitation Program (CBRP). To complete the CBRP, a Recovering Drug Dependent (RDD) must undergo spiritual sessions, shared and individual sessions, eight early recovery sessions, and 32 group relapse prevention sessions.
During this time, 563 RDDs have graduated from CBRP and are expected to complete a six (6) month Aftercare Program.
The drug-cleared barangays are Assumption, Avanceña, Cacub, Caloocan, Carpenter Hill, Concepcion, Esperanza, Mabini, Magsaysay, Mambucal, Namnama, Paraiso, San Isidro, San Roque, Morales, Sta. Cruz, Sto. Niño, Zone I, Zone II, Zone III and Zone IV.
Those who have not yet been cleared are Barangay General Paulino Santos, New Pangasinan, Rotonda, San Jose, Topland and Saravia. General Paulino Santos is one of the city’s largest urban barangays, while the other five are in the rural category.
Aside from the validation of drug-cleared status, Barangay Assumption was vetted for being unaffected barangay and also has to maintain its drug-free status.
CADAC Action Officer Lt. Col Clemente Castillo (Ret.) assured that the local government will continue to provide the barangays with the support they need to keep their anti-drug campaigns going.
“Our program to fight illegal drugs in the city is a concerted effort. With everyone’s help, we can achieve our goal”, Castillo once told the media.
On the other hand, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) welcomes a new regulation aimed to sustain the nationwide implementation of the Barangay Drug Clearing Program (BDCP).The new Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) provides improved regulations to ensure that the BDCP execution remains resolute.