The Regional Oversight Committee (ROC) on Barangay Drug Clearing Program in Region 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula) headed by Dir. Emerson L. Margate, PDEA IX Regional Director and Chairperson of ROC, declared another 49 barangays in the region as drug-cleared effective immediately.
This after the deliberations were conducted to determine whether these barangays have satisfactorily complied and satisfied the parameters in declaring a drug-cleared barangay pursuant to Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) Regulation No. 3 series of 2017, which provides for Strengthening the Implementation of Barangay Drug Clearing Program on August 24, 25 and 26 respectively, in the provinces of Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga del Norte.
Out of 49 barangays, 25 barangays were coming from Zamboanga Sibugay with 2 from Alicia, 1 from Buug, 1 from Kabasalan, 5 from Olutanga, 6 from Payao, 2 from Siay, 4 from Talusan, and 4 from Tungawan.
15 barangays in Zamboanga del Sur were coming from the municipalities of Aurora with 5 barangays, Mahayag, 1, Dimataling, 2, Dumalinao, 3, Guipos, 1 and San Pablo with 3 barangays.
9 barangays in Zamboanga del Norte were coming from the municipalities of Sibutad and Salug with 3 and 6 barangays, respectively.
Hon. Victor J. Yu, Provincial Governor of Zamboanga del Sur, graced the deliberation event in Zamboanga del Sur held at Subanen Hall, Provincial Government Complex, Dao, Pagadian City on August 25, 2020.
On the other hand, Atty. Senen O. Angeles, Provincial Vice-Governor of Zamboanga del Norte graced the deliberation and declaration held at Atrium, Top Plaza Hotel, Dipolog City on August 26, 2020.
The deliberations were attended by PMAJ. PAUL CORTEZ and PCOL. REDENTOR L. RETUSTO as PNP Representatives, Dir. Paisal O. Abutazil, DILG9 Regional Director, Dir. Arnel F. Gudio, DILG9 Assistant Regional Director, Dr. Agnes Fernando, Dr. Jane Jaug and Mr. Cristobert Bermudez, as DOH Representatives, the mayors, chiefs of police, PCR officers, DILG Provincial Directors, MLGOOs, and the chairmen of the barangays that were declared drug-cleared. Retired General Angelo Sunglaw was also present during the deliberation and declaration of drug cleared barangays in Zamboanga del Norte.
As of today, there are a total of 878 drug-cleared barangays in the region, 118 of which are from Zamboanga Sibugay, 373 from Zamboanga del Sur, 367 from Zamboanga del Norte, 9 from Isabela City, Basilan and 11 from Zamboanga City.
Moreover, 99 barangays in the region were certified as un-affected, with 6 barangays from Zamboanga Sibugay, 53 from Zamboanga del Sur, 39 from Zamboanga del Norte, and 1 from Zamboanga City.
Director Margate said, the implementation of Barangay Drug Clearing Program will continue in the region amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. (PDEA Regional Office IX)
