THE city of Dagupan is now finally drug-free after Barangay II & III was finally cleared of illegal drugs on Friday, Nov. 17.

Mayor Belen Fernandez, chair of the City Anti Drug Abuse Council (CADAC) and Police Chief P/Superintendent Franklin Ortiz, vice chairman, signed the document certifying to the status of Barangay II and III as being cleared of drugs.

Dr. Ophelia Rivera, city health officer and a member of CADAC board, also signed.

The City Health Office and the PNP oversee the conduct of the Community-Based Rehabilitation Program.

The signing was made shortly after CADAC received the resolution of the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council of Barangay II and III headed by Chairman Roberto Melecio stating that their barangay has complied with all the requirements to be finally be declared as drug-cleared.

Barangay II & III is the last of the 31 barangays in Dagupan to be declared clear of illegal drugs.

Last week, the island barangay of Pugaro was declared drug-cleared.

With this development, only eight barangays in San Fabian, Mangatarem and San Carlos City are still drug-affected.

However, the status of Dagupan and the rest of other towns and city as drug-cleared by the PNP still have to be validated by an oversight committee of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency. (Leonardo Micua)