DRUG-CLEARED BARANGAYS. Mayor Mylyn Pineda-Cayabyab (fifth from right), leads the awarding of certificates to heads of 14 barangays declared drug-cleared in Lubao, Pampanga on Monday (June 24, 2019). Also in photo are Lubao local government operations officer Irinea Bacani (fourth from right), Glen Guillermo, information officer of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (fourth from left), Colonel Jerry Corpuz (third from left), chief of police of Lubao and other village officials. (Photo courtesy of the Lubao Municipal Police Station)
LUBAO, Pampanga—Fourteen villages in this town were declared drug-cleared on Monday as a result of the intensified campaign against illegal drugs.
Col. Jerry Corpuz, the town’s chief of police, said that Barangays San Pablo 1, San Matias, Sto. Cristo, San Juan, Sta. Lucia, San Nicolas 2, Sta. Barbara, San Agustin, Del Carmen, Dela Paz, Sta. Maria, Santiago, San Isidro, and Sto. Niño were declared drug-cleared after successfully complying with the parameters set forth by the oversight committee in accordance with the Dangerous Drugs Board resolution.
Corpuz, together with Mayor Mylyn Pineda-Cayabyab and Glen Guillermo, information officer of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, led the awarding of the certificates to the drug-cleared barangays.
Certificates were also given out to partner agencies that have contributed in the various aspects of the drug-clearing process, including the Municipal Health Office which conducted the initial assessment and laboratory testing of drug dependents; Social Welfare and Development Office for the social protection component; and Public Employment Services Office for the livelihood programs for qualified drug surrenderers.
Irinea Bacani, local government operations officer, said the number of cleared barangays is expected to rise to 24 with other villages already in the final phase of the clearing evaluation.
Corpuz, however, said the certification should not be a reason for the barangay officials to be complacent and scale down their efforts against the drug problem.
“A drug-cleared barangay may repeat the whole clearing assessment process even with just a single confirmed case of drug pushing incident in the village,” he added.
Last year, three villages in this town were earlier declared drug-cleared, namely Sta. Teresa 1st, San Pedro Saug, and San Jose Gumi. (PNA)
