ONLY 6.7% IN ILOCOS REGION

THERE are 75 barangays in Pangasinan, representing 5.5% of the 1,364 total, that remain affected by illegal drugs, according to a report from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) last week

Across Region 1, about 7% or 219 of the 3,267 total barangays, are still considered ‘drug-affected’, with 75 in Ilocos Sur, 49 in Ilocos Norte, and 20 in La Union.

PDEA-Ilocos Region Assistant Director Joshua Arquero said the low percentage is attributed to the collaborative efforts of national government agencies, local government units, and barangay officials.

To sustain and expand the number of drug-cleared communities, PDEA continues to implement several initiatives. These include anti-illegal drug operations to reduce supply, community drug-clearing efforts, public information campaigns, and programs promoting drug-free workplaces to address demand.

He emphasized that these initiatives align with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive for a bloodless anti-drug campaign. Under this approach, drug users are referred to rehabilitation centers, while drug pushers are sent to Balay Silangan, a reformation facility offering livelihood training through the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and other agencies.

From January to August 26, PDEA-Ilocos Region carried out 942 operations, leading to the arrest of 839 drug personalities and the seizure of 1,014 kilograms of shabu and 93.39 kilograms of marijuana, with an estimated combined street value of ₱5.8 billion.

In addition, local fishermen turned over 1,178 packs of shabu they had recovered at sea, demonstrating strong community cooperation in the government’s anti-drug efforts.

All confiscated illegal drugs have since been destroyed, according to PDEA. (Ahikam Pasion)

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