Laoag city: The Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Office (INPPO) announced Thursday that 95.35 percent of drug-affected villages in the province are now drug-cleared, calling it a "major milestone" in the fight against illegal drugs. Twelve villages in this city were formally declared drug-cleared on Thursday during the Regional Oversight Committee on Barangay Drug Clearing Deliberation held at the Laoag City Auditorium. The newly declared drug-cleared villages are Barangays Santa Joaquina, Santa Angela, Nuestra Se±ora de Consolacion, Mangato East, Mangato West, Zamboanga, Darayday, Raraburan, Rioeng, Lagui-Sail, Bacsil, and Pila.
According to Philippines News Agency, this achievement further boosted the province's anti-illegal drugs campaign, bringing the total number of drug-cleared barangays in Ilocos Norte to 499 out of 559 barangays, or 95.35% of the province's total barangays. Latest data shows 26 remaining barangays are drug-affected, while 34 barangays are classified as unaffected.
"This accomplishment reflects the strong collaboration among law enforcement agencies, local government units, barangay officials, and community stakeholders in promoting safer, healthier, and drug-free communities across the province," said Col. Joemar Labiano, provincial director of INPPO. He assured that INPPO will continue to sustain its anti-illegal drug efforts and strengthen community-based programs toward a safer and more peaceful province.
Laoag City Mayor James Bryan Alcid congratulated all the drug-cleared villages of Laoag and challenged them to ensure that illegal drug activities do not return to their areas. A barangay is declared drug-cleared once it was previously reported as drug-affected and has effectively completed drug-clearing activities to eliminate related illegal drug cases.
The Ilocos Norte police, together with the Department of Health, Department of the Interior and Local Government, and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, urged public support in the fight against drugs. They aim to maintain drug-cleared villages through collaboration, monitoring, and community involvement, hoping to achieve drug-resistant, self-policing communities by 2030.
