Nineteen barangays in Western Visayas, 18 of which are in Negros Occidental, were declared drug-cleared on Friday, March 24, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency announced.
The 18 drug-cleared barangays in Negros Occidental are in Bago City, Cadiz City, EB Magalona, Hinoba-an, Isabela, La Carlota City, Manapla, Murcia, Silay City, Talisay City, Valladolid, and Victorias City.
A barangay in Pontevedra, Capiz, was also declared drug-cleared.
PDEA VI will continue to closely collaborate with its counterparts to increase the number of barangays to be cleared, as well as in the conduct of validation and verification to ensure that the drug-cleared status is maintained, a statement from the agency said.
The PDEA-6 cleared three more barangays in E. B. Magalona, a press release from the town said.
This brings to 19 out of the 23 barangays of E. B. Magalona that have been cleared of illegal drugs since the start of the anti-drug-clearing program, Maj. Kenneth Jay Gratones, E. B. Magalona police chief, said.
The newly drug-cleared barangays are Barangays 2 (Poblacion), Manta-angan and San Jose.
Mayor Marvin Malacon commended the E.B, Magalona law enforcers and the community “for working together in our war against illegal drugs and making our community a safer place to live, work, and do business in”.
“The PNP of E.B. Magalona, with the support of the local government, will not stop pushing until all our barangays are cleared,” Gratones said.*