Only 27 towns, Alaminos drug-cleared by PDEA
THERE are still 27 towns and one city that remain drug-cleared in Pangasinan based
on data released by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
These are the towns of Basista, Laoac, Dasol, Mapandan, Natividad, Anda, Mabini, Alcala, Malasiqui, Burgos, Sta. Maria, Sison, Aguilar, Bugallon, Lingayen, Bayambang, Mangatarem, Rosales, Labrador, Calasiao, Villasis, San Manuel, Sta. Barbara, Mangaldan, Urbiztondo, Tayug, Alaminos City. The town of Sto. Thomas is the only town declared as drug-free.
According to Rechie Camacho, assistant provincial officer of PDEA-Pangasinan, his team is presently focused on demand and supply reduction to check the proliferation of drugs in then province.
Special Investigator Mary Jane Botes, PDEA’s Provincial Barangay Drug Clearing Officer, said a town must have a Balay Silangan – training and livelihood program for drug personalities – before it can be declared drug-cleared.
According to Botes, Agno, Asingan, Binalonan, San Jacinto were also reverted to drug-infected after PRRD’s list of drug personalities included some local personalities.
Camacho admitted that while PDEA Pangasinan is undermanned with only 15 personnel throughout Pangasinan, close coordination PNP in anti-drug operations has made it possible to launch series of operations in the province.
He acknowledged that illegal drugs trade is still proliferating in Pangasinan, particularly of shabu and marijuana, sources of which are coming from NCR and Region 3.
The cities of Dagupan, Urdaneta City and San Carlos City are still considered hotspots.
PDEA will continue to revalidate drug cleared areas vis-à-vis Balay Silangan for a drug surrenderer. (Nora Dominguez)
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