Number of drug-affected b’gays hit 20,872 — PDEA

The number of barangays affected by the drug menace has increased despite the government’s relentless campaign against illegal drugs.

Data released by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) yesterday showed that 49.65 percent or 20,872 of the 42,036 barangays in the country are affected by illegal drugs.

“Of these barangays, 66.7 percent or 13,920 are classified as slightly affected and 32.3 percent or 6,744 barangays are moderately affected. The remaining one percent or 208 barangays are seriously affected,” Isidro Lapeña, PDEA director general, said in a statement.

The figure is higher compared to last month when 47 percent or 19,710 barangays were affected by illegal drugs.

Lapeña did not reply when asked to comment about the increase in the number of affected barangays.

A barangay is considered drug-affected if there is a reported presence of drug personalities and at least one drug laboratory, drug den or marijuana plantation.

Barangays considered slightly affected are those with drug users while those in the moderate category have both drug pushers and users.

Seriously affected barangays are those with both drug personalities and clandestine drug laboratories.

PDEA said Metro Manila has the highest rate of drug-affected barangays at 96.48 percent followed by the Caraga region at 86.58 percent and Zamboanga peninsula, 86.29 percent.

The Cordillera Administrative Region has the 3.49 percent.

Meanwhile, 4,801 barangays have been declared free of illegal drugs since July 1 last year as certified by the oversight committee on barangay drug-clearing program in their respective areas.

“Before declaring that a barangay is free from illegal drugs, the committee must convene and validate that there is no drug supply or transit, clandestine drug laboratory and chemical warehouse, marijuana cultivation site, drug den, drug pushers and users,” said Lapeña. lowest at