Malasiqui now drug-free

By November 20, 2017Headlines, News

MALASIQUI— The municipality of Malasiqui is the latest town in Pangasinan validated by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) as drug-free town.

All 752 self-confessed drug users and pushers in 61 barangays here (out of 73 barangays) at the start of the war on drugs in the town have been accounted for and most already completed the community-based rehabilitation program. (CBRP).

P/Inspector Dennis Ballitoc, town’s deputy police chief, said the town complied with the requirements of the Provincial Anti- Drug Abuse Council (PADAC) and the drug dependents passed the drug dependency examination conducted by the Rural Health Unit (RHU), and validated by the PDEA.

He said 17 drug personalities listed in the town’s Anti Drug Advisory Council’s drug watch list are still undergoing drug rehabilitation at the rehab center in Dagupan City, while 13 were arrested through police operations and detained, 5 travelled abroad and 4 are with terminal illness while 2 died of natural death while undergoing the CBRP. Eight can no longer be located.

Meanwhile, Mayor Anthony Geslani thanked all the sectors that helped in achieving the goal for a drug-free municipality.

The CBRP consists of activities regular physical fitness program, moral and spiritual counseling by MAPA, supplemental feeding program, livelihood training through the Technical Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) specifically the shielded art  metal welding and electrical installation and maintenance, tree planting in some barangays, clean- up drive and free haircut initiated by the by then chief of police P/Supt. Roland Sacyat in collaboration with the local government and non-government organizations.

Barangay Lokeb Sur with seven drug dependents listed was the first barangay to be cleared of illegal drugs while Barangay Aliaga with 134 drug dependents recorded was the last barangay to be cleared on July 18 this year.

James Fadrilan CESO, regional director of Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) thanked the reformed drug dependents for choosing the path towards positive change and urged everyone in the town to continue to be vigilant against illegal drugs.

“Salamat sa pagtanggap sa landas ng pagbabago, kailangan natin ng pagtutulungan, palakasin ang Barangay Anti- drug Abuse Council (BADAC), lahat ay bahagi ng pagbabago ng lipunan sapagkat tayo rin ang makikinabang”, said Fadrilan.

He also said the ex-drug personalities that there will be livelihood opportunities for them.  (Hilda Austria)

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