THE NATIONAL DRUG

SITUATION
 PDEA BEGINS COUNTDOWN TO CLEAR
REMAINING DRUG-AFFECTED
BARANGAYS BY 2022
 The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has started a countdown to clear
the remaining 15,388 drug-affected barangays by June 2022.

 PDEA Director General Wilkins M Villanueva said that these barangays represent
36.6 percent of 42,045 barangays in the country that are still plagued by illegal
drugs.

 “There are 702 days to go before the deadline on ending the country’s drug problem
as committed by the President to the Filipino people. PDEA’s self-imposed
countdown creates a higher sense of urgency, no matter how difficult the challenge
is,” Villanueva said.

 Posters with countdown days were seen hanging inside offices in the PDEA
National Headquarters in Quezon City, Regional Offices and Provincial and District
Offices nationwide, to serve as a visual reminder on what needs to get done.
 To accomplish the task, the PDEA Barangay Drug Clearing Program Working
Group for Monitoring and Validation (PB-WMV) was created to fast-track the
implementation of drug-clearing operations in the communities. This will
accelerate efforts to prevent the proliferation of illegal drugs in the barangays.

 The Barangay Drug Clearing Program (BDCP) encompasses a holistic and whole-
of-nation approach in addressing the drug problem by enlisting the participation of
local government units (LGUs), government agencies, and various stakeholders of
the national anti-drug campaign.
 barangays cleared from drugs

 A total of 18,582 barangays have been declared cleared from illegal drugs
from July 1, 2016, to May 31, 2020.

 These barangays have reached drug-cleared status after issuance of a

certification by members of the Oversight Committee on Barangay Drug-
Clearing Program.

 The Oversight Committee, which is chaired by PDEA, is composed of

provincial representatives of the Department of the Interior and Local
Government (DILG), the Philippine National Police (PNP), Department
of Health (DOH) and LGUs.

 Before declaring that a barangay is free from illegal drug activities, the
committee must convene and validate the non-availability of drug
supply in the area and the absence of drug transit activity, clandestine
drug laboratory, and chemical warehouse, marijuana cultivation site,
drug den, drug pusher, and user.
 “Once cleared, we monitor newly-declared drug-free barangays to avoid a
resurgence of illegal drug trade in these localities,” Villanueva said.

 “PDEA has the power to create its own success.  We can achieve greatness by
accomplishing the goal despite the odds, made matters worse by the pandemic. The
countdown should serve as a motivation to get the job done in time, and a reminder
to strive to be better with each passing day,” the PDEA chief said.

 According to Villanueva, although it is a challenge in the face of the pandemic

situation, concerned agencies and LGUs should continue their programs in ensuring
the treatment of drug users either in residential and community-based rehabilitation
centers, while offering interventions for surrendering drug pushers. After treatment,
reformers will undergo the social rehabilitation phase. This will provide them
employment opportunities and regain their dignity and place in our society.

 “Whatever the surrounding circumstances, we should reduce demand. No market

for illegal drugs means no drug trade can prosper,” Villanueva noted.
  PDEA also launched “Isumbong Mo Kay Wilkins!”, a Facebook page where the
citizenry is encouraged to report illegal drug activities happening in their
neighborhood through its 24/7 call and text hotlines.

 “Isumbong Mo Kay Wilkins!” also offers fast, secure, and affordable means to
receive information from concerned individuals. Supplied information may lead to
the conduct of high-impact anti-drug operations and the arrest of high-value
targeted drug personalities.

 Recently, PDEA and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) renewed a Memorandum of

Agreement (MOA) to strengthen their partnership in preventing drug smuggling in
seaports and airports.

  Villanueva said the agreement should effectively address the trafficking or the
possible entry of drug contrabands through shipment, and mail and parcel, in the
country, including the importation of Controlled Precursors and Essential Chemicals
(CPECs) used in the manufacture of dangerous drugs.

 “International drug trafficking organizations are shipping tons of illegal drugs,

either the finished product or raw materials, into the country. We need to intensify
efforts in intercepting these drug shipments before they reach the streets,”
Villanueva added.