Manila: Only 6.7 percent or 219 of a total of 3,267 villages in Ilocos Region remained drug-affected as of Aug. 26, according to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). PDEA-Ilocos Region Assistant Director Joshua Arquero, in a forum hosted by the Philippine Information Agency, detailed that the number of drug-affected villages includes 75 each in Pangasinan and Ilocos Sur, 49 in Ilocos Norte, and 20 in La Union.

According to Philippines News Agency, Arquero emphasized the drug clearing in the barangays is being achieved with the support of various national government agencies and local government units down to the barangay level. PDEA's initiatives to increase drug-cleared barangays involve anti-illegal drug operations for supply reduction, drug clearing operations, an information drive, and a campaign on drug-free workplaces for demand reduction.

Arquero highlighted the efficiency of these programs through the cooperation of the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council, Municipal or City Anti-Drug Abuse Council, among other agencies, as part of a whole-of-nation approach. He noted this aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s policy for a bloodless anti-drug campaign. Drug users are referred to rehabilitation facilities, while drug pushers are placed in Balay Silangan, where they receive interventions such as livelihood training through the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and other agencies.

Arquero mentioned that from January to Aug. 26, PDEA-Ilocos Region conducted 942 operations, including 638 buy-busts, 93 implementations of search warrants, three with warrants of arrest, and five marijuana plantation eradications. These operations resulted in the arrest of 839 drug personalities and the seizure of 1,014 kg of shabu and 93.39 kg of marijuana, with a total market value of PHP5.8 billion. Additionally, fishers recovered and surrendered 1,178 packs of shabu, and the seized illegal drugs have been incinerated.