Drug-free barangays could have a ‘relapse’

TAGBILARAN CITY – A barangay that has been declared to have been cleared of illegal drugs could still have a “relapse,” Bohol's police provincial director.

In a statement distributed to the media on Thursday Sr. Supt. Angeles Geñorga Jr. said that if the number of drug-related cases rises again in a previously cleared barangay, it could lose its standing.

"That is part of the demand and supply reduction, even drug-cleared barangays can be downgraded," Geñoraga said.

More than a week ago, 321 out of Bohol’s 1,109 barangays were declared drug cleared by the Regional Oversight Committee, which is composed of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), the Philippine National Police (PNP). and the Department of Health DOH).

The statement comes in the wake of reports that new drug activity had been monitored in some of the cleared villages.

Geñorga said every citizen should get involved in ridding barangays of the drug menace.

"Every well-meaning citizen needs to be part of the solution, not part of the problem," he said.

He stressed that the declaration of drug-cleared barangays is a serious campaign and not just propaganda.

The oversight committee cleared the 321 barangays through a resolution it approved in June.

At a ceremony at the Bohol Cultural Center last August 13, certificates were handed to the leaders of the 321 barangays.