2 more villages Mati drug-cleared: PDEA

THE PHILIPPINE Drug Enforcement Agency has declared two more barangays in the City of Mati as drug-cleared barangay bringing the total number of barangays to 24.

PDEA 11 director Antonio Rivera declared barangays Matiao and Sainz as drug-cleared barangays during a simple ceremony Thursday, January 16, 2020, at the City Hall of Mati.

Attending the event was City of Mati Mayor

Michelle Nakpil Rabat who welcomed the declaration at the same time asked PDEA to help the LGU in their effort to make all of the 26 barangays in the city drugcleared.

Upon assumption to office on June 30, 2018, Rabat said there were remaining five barangays in the City of Mati that are still considered as being influenced by illegal drugs.

In a little over six months, the administration of Rabat together with the police, barangay officials, and PDEA cleared three more barangays with only barangays Central and Dahican still having problem with illegal drugs.

“Glad to know that we accomplish in just expand of six months we are able to cleared three barangays namely Macambol, Matiao and Sainz. I would like to congratulate the barangay captain of barangay Matiao and Sainz for their

efforts. Without their support we can do nothing and to the CADAC Office and PDEA for their efforts,” she said.

Barangay captains Edgar Valera of Sainz and Ronnie Valera of Matiao meanwhile thanked the City of Mati LGU and PDEA for helping their barangays eradicate the drug menace for a short period of time.

“I never taught that barangay Matiao will be part of the list as drug cleared barangay, but I am very happy that it was happening now. I would like to thank our City Mayor, CADAC, PDEA for their support and efforts without them barangay Sainz will not be included in the list as drug cleared barangay,” said Valera.

“I fought for so many years for barangay Sainz to be part of a drug cleared barangay, I am happy that it was happening now. I would like to thank City Mayor Michelle Rabat for her support all throughout the process and to the PDEA, CADAC Office and City Health Office for their efforts,” added Valera.

Rivera, meanwhile, urged local authorities to strengthen their border security especially at the sea as most of the drugs that come in Davao Oriental are transported by sea vessel.

“We have to strengthen our coastline operation to avoid the entry of drug supply in your city. To the PDEA and police please come up with a scheme. To the barangay captains continue what you have started, let’s sustain it,” said Rivera. PR