WAR ON DRUGS SCORE CARD

THE municipality of Burgos in the First District was finally validated as a drug-free community, the 11^th in Pangasinan, last Thursday, Nov. 22.

This was confirmed by the oversight committee composed of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Local Government Unit (LGU).

The ceremonial declaration of Burgos was led by PDEA Provincial Officer Dexter Asayco, PNP provincial director P/Sr. Superintendent Ronald Lee, Rhodyn Oro (for Gov. Amado Espino III), P/Chief Inspector Norman Florentino, Shiela Marie Andales (for DILG represented Director Agnes de Leon) and Burgos Mayor Alberto Guiang Jr.

P/ Sr. Inspector Eddie Suyat, Burgos police chief, said 13 out of 14 barangays were initially drug-affected (except for Barangay Concordia that was never affected) were all cleared and the 41 drug personalities that surrendered have undergone the six- month long community-based rehabilitation program that included community service (coastal clean-up), sports activity (zumba and basketball), spiritual and moral programs. No livelihood training was necessary since those that surrendered have existing livelihood as farmers, drivers and security guards.

To be validated as drug-free, the community is confirmed to have no shabu laboratories, no addicts and pushers, and all the drug personalities that surrendered have been required to undergo the community-based rehabilitation program (CBRP), and the town/city government has passed an ordinance committing support to the campaign contra drugs.

In addition, the local police and barangay officials continue to monitor activities of those that completed the CBRP including required weekly attendance at the police station.

The town police have been tasked also to closely watch the lone coast Barangay of Iliw-iliw to ensure that no drugs will be smuggled along the coastline.

Florentino said, Burgos is the 11th town declared as drug free. Others validated to be drug-free are the towns of Laoac, Agno, Anda, Mabini, Dasol, Natividad, San Nicolas, Alcala and Malasiqui and Alaminos City. Sto. Tomas has never been affected by illegal drugs.

Meanwhile, out of 1,267 barangays in Pangasinan, only four remain to be cleared by PNP: Barangays Coliling, Tandoc and Pagal in San Carlos City and Barangay Aramal in San Fabian.

Florentino confirmed that high value targets remain in Pagal and Aramal while Coliling and Tandoc are already in documentation of phase of the process.

PPO remains optimistic that the whole province will be cleared of illegal drugs in its level before 2017 ends. (Nora Dominguez)

 

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