Mangaldan finally drug-free, Balungao, San Fabian next
PPP0 LEVEL
ALL the 30 barangays of Mangaldan originally deemed drug-affected were finally given clean bills of health making the town drug-free.
P/ Superintendent Jeff Fanged, Mangaldan police chief, said the declaration by the Municipal Anti-Drug Advisory Council was delayed because of the situation in Barangay Bari and Poblacion where some drug personalities still could not be accounted for until early last week.
He said the town’s 91 high value targets were finally arrested and accounted for.
“The town is at the stage of documentation for validation by PDEA,” Fanged said.
He added that all the 590 self-confessed drug users and pushers are presently undergoing rehabilitation under the community-based rehabilitation program patterned after the MASA-MASID template.
Meanwhile, the police chiefs and local executives of Balungao and San Fabian have expressed confidence that their towns will be eventually be cleared in November.
In Balungao, P/ Sr. Inspector Dennis Cabigat, Balungao police chief, said the declaration of Balungao as drug-cleared has been delayed because of the belated arrests of two drug personalities in Barangay Rajal and San Raymundo.
He also admitted there were some barangay officials involved in the illegal trade in the barangays but all were arrested during the recent illegal operation.
With the arrest of the drug personalities listed in drug watch list, Cabigat said the Sangguniang Bayan can pass a resolution supporting the programs of the municipal government for the continuous training and rehabilitation of the 258 self-confessed drug users and pushers that surrendered last year.
Cabigat said all the 258 have completed the moral recovery component of the rehabilitation program and are continuing with livelihood training (producing vermicompost) and lectures required by PDEA.
Balungao Mayor Philipp Peralta is hopeful that before November ends, the town will be officially cleared from illegal drugs.
He also said the drug clearing program of Balungao is a joint program of the LGU, PNP, Barangay Officials aand religious groups.
Peralta said the program chose a training in vermicomposting because it was proven to be profitable under the 4Ps program.
He added the town will allocate an additional fund for the training of the rehabilitated drug dependents.
SAN FABIAN
IN San Fabian, out of the 34 barangays that have been affected of illegal drugs, only Barangay Aramal remains drug-affected because two drug personalities remain unaccounted for.
P/Chief Inspector Arvin Jacob, San Fabian police chief, said Barangay Cayanga was finally cleared last week after the arrest of the remaining drug personalities on the barangay’s watch list.
He said he expects to finally clear Barangay Aramal in the days ahead.
Jacob said all the 703 self-confessed drug users and pushers are presently undergoing community-based rehabilitation program that includes a livelihood training on food processing.
Citing the “overwhelming support of the municipal government” to sustain the rehabilitation of the 703, he said the local officials and his station are looking forward to see the town declared drug-free in November.
The Project Lighthouse have already been launched requiring all the Barangay Officials to help guard 24/7 especially at night time.
He said all the barangay councils are now closely working with the town police. “Sana makipagtulungan ang ating community with our Masa Masid of DILG magagawa po natin na labanan ang illegal drugs,” Jacob said. (Nora Dominguez)
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
