Four (4) more barangays in the city were declared drug-cleared by the Regional Oversight Committee on the Barangay Drug Clearing (ROCBDC) Program following intense deliberations Tuesday, April 30.

The oversight committee, composed of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Department of Health (DOH), declared barangays Dulian – Upper Bunguiao, Latuan, Lubigan and Sinubong as drug-cleared, based on the parameters set forth by the Dangerous Drugs Board.

This brings the list of drug-cleared and unaffected barangays in Zamboanga City to a total of 28.

During the deliberation held at the City Hall conference room, officials from barangays Dulian–Upper Bunguiao, Latuan, Lubigan and Sinubong individually presented their anti-illegal drugs campaign to the committee, along with documentary evidences on both past and ongoing intervention programs to rehabilitate identified persons who use drugs (PWUDs) in their area of responsibility.

The 24 barangays that earlier reached the drug-cleared status were Dulian- Upper Pasonanca in 2017; Lumayang, Capisan and Tigbalabag in 2018; Pasilmanta, Lansones, Landang Laum, Sibulao and Tictapul in 2019; Pangapuyan (unaffected), Tolosa, and Pamucutan in 2020; Licomo, Limaong, and Lapakan in 2021; Cacao, Calabasa, Mangusu, Panubigan, Taguiti, and Tumitus in 2022; and Lamisahan, Dita and Tagasilay in 2023.

The newly-proclaimed drug-cleared barangays are expected to receive a cash incentive of P150K each from the City Government, based on a resolution approved by the City Anti-Drug Abuse Council, as initiated by Mayor John Dalipe.

Present during the deliberation were PDEA Regional Director and ROCBDC Chairperson Maharani Tosoc, Mayor John Dalipe’s representative Giovanie Perez, DILG representative Joe Ruel Trobanos, PNP Representative PCol. Romeo Espero Jr., DOH representative Kengchay Lao, PDEA Asst. Regional Director Ralph Rommel Torres, DILG City Director Ginagene Vaño-Uy, Dr. Mac Sta. Teresa of the City Health office and officials from the 4 newly-drug-cleared A drug-cleared barangay is classified as previously drug-affected and subjected to drug clearing operation and declared free from any illegal drug activities pursuant to parameters set by law that include non-availability of drug supply, absence of drug transit/transshipment activity, absence of clandestine drug laboratory, absence of clandestine drug warehouse, absence of clandestine chemical warehouse, absence of marijuana cultivation site, absence of drug den, dive or resort, absence of drug pusher, absence of drug user/dependent, absence of protector/coddler and financier, active involvement of barangay officials in anti-drug activities, active involvement of SK to help maintain the drug-liberated status of the barangay, existence of drug awareness, preventive education and information and other related programs, and existence of voluntary and compulsory drug treatment and rehabilitation processing desk.

Meanwhile, a drug unaffected barangay has not ever been plagued or beset by any illegal drug activities. (Sheila Covarrubias)