18 brgys in DavOr declared drug-free

EIGHTEEN barangays in Davao Oriental were cleared from drugs as declared by the regional oversight committee on illegal drugs after completing all the parameters to be declared drug free.

Police Superintendent Ferlito Jose C. Mejia, DOPPO Deputy Provincial Director for Administration said there are a total of 183 barangays in Davao Oriental and 9.83 percent of which were already declared as drug free.

These barangays are Don Martin Marundan in Mati City; Puntalinao and Cabangcalan in Banaybanay; Bagumbayan in Lupon; Bitaogan, Sto. Rosario, Dugmanon and La Union in San Isidro; Don Aurelio Chicote and Sergio Osmeña in Governor Generoso; Tomoaong and Tubaon in Tarragona; Old Macopa in Manay; San Antonio in Caraga; Campawan in Baganga; San Rafael in Cateel; and San Jose and Sibahay in Boston.

Mejia said there is also another set of 39 barangays that were already cleared by the provincial oversight committee and is set to be submitted to the regional level to finally declare as drug-free.

Before being declared as drug free, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), the lead agency for illegal drugs, said parameters must be seen on barangays such as the non-availability of drug supply; absence of drug transit or transshipment activity; absence of clandestine drug laboratory clandestine drug warehouse, and clandestine chemical warehouse; absence of marijuana cultivation site; absence of drug den; dive or resort; and absence of drug pushers, drug users or dependents, protectors or coddlers, and financier.