Negros island region: The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has declared 11 barangays across the Negros Island Region (NIR) "drug-cleared," an official said Wednesday. The declaration took place during the 13th deliberation of the Regional Oversight Committee on Barangay Clearing, attended by representatives from law enforcement agencies, local government units (LGUs), and civilian sector partners.
According to Philippines News Agency, PDEA-NIR Assistant Regional Director Marjorie Ballesteros identified the newly cleared barangays as Magsaysay and Nagsaha in Guihulngan City, and Poblacion 3, Mantuyop, and Napacao in Siaton, Negros Oriental. In Negros Occidental, the barangays are Ani-e, Dolis, and Paghumayan in Calatrava; Zone 4 in Murcia; Zone 3 in Talisay City; and Buluangan in San Carlos City.
Ballesteros explained that a barangay is declared drug-cleared after individuals who use drugs have undergone appropriate interventions and the barangay has implemented other required activities under the barangay drug-clearing program. With the latest declaration, the total number of drug-cleared barangays in the region has surpassed 1,000, representing 78.34 percent of all barangays, based on PDEA-NIR records. Of these, 544 are in Negros Occidental, 358 in Negros Oriental, 134 in Siquijor, and 23 in Bacolod City.
Ballesteros emphasized that previously cleared barangays must maintain their drug-cleared status through annual monitoring. She stated, "If there are new personalities involved in illegal drugs, the local government unit must address these cases" to retain the barangay's drug-cleared status.
Meanwhile, PDEA-NIR continues to support LGUs that have yet to establish a Balay Silangan Reformation Center, a community-based rehabilitation facility for individuals affected by illegal drugs. Ballesteros clarified that LGUs do not need to construct a new building for a Balay Silangan, as they may use an existing suitable facility. She noted that at least 20 Balay Silangan reformation centers have been established across the region.
The deliberation was attended by officials from the Philippine National Police, Department of Health, LGUs, and other civilian sector stakeholders.
