A TOTAL of 675 barangays in Metro Manila are now considered as ‘drug-free’ based on parameters set by the government, National Capital Region Police Office director Major General Vicente D. Danao Jr said on Friday.

Latest to be declared as ‘drug-free’ are 19 barangays in the metropolis which are under the jurisdiction of the Northern Police District (NPD), Manila Police District (MPD) and Southern Police District (SPD).

Danao said that 12 of the ‘drug-free barangays’ are under the jurisdiction of the MPD headed by Brigadier Gen. Leo M. Francisco, namely Bgy. 90, Zone 7 in Manila’s 1st District; Bgy. 346, Zone 35, District 3; Bgy. 616, Zone 61, District 6; Bgy. 482, Zone 48, District 6; Bgy. 510, Zone 50, District 4; Bgy. 518, Zone 51, District 4; Bgy. 190, Zone 17, District 2; Bgy. 191, Zone 17, District 2; Bgy.187, Zone 17, District 2; Bgy. 208, Zone 19, District 2; Bgy. 301, Zone 29, District 3; and Bgy. 305, Zone 29, District 3.

In Pasay City which is under the jurisdiction of the SPD headed by Brig. Gen. Jimili L. Macaraeg, the following barangays have been declared as ‘drug-free” – Bgy. 115, Zone 14, District 2; Bgy. 68, Zone 9, District 1; Bgy. 76, Zone 10, District 1; Bgy. 83, Zone 10, District 1, Bgy. 141, Zone 15, District 2 and Bgy. La Huerta in Parañaque City.

Bgy. Hulong Duhat in Malabon which is under the jurisdiction of the NPD under Brig. Gen. Jose S. Hidalgo was the lone barangay in Camanava district to be declared as ‘drug-free’ this week.

Danao said that they expect to clear the rest of the barangays in Metro Manila of drugs soon with the help of local government agencies and local government units (LGUs) and the community.

There are a total of 1,710 barangays in the metropolis which is divided into barangays with populations ranging from under 1,000 to over 200,000. Barangays in Manila, Caloocan and Pasay cities are grouped into zones for strategical purposes.

Danao said 19 barangays which are the latest to be declared as ‘drug-cleared’ in NCR were subjected to a thorough deliberation by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), the Regional Oversight Committee on Barangay Drug Clearing composed of provincial representatives of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Philippine National Police, Department of Health and LGUs.

The committee issued a certification that declared the 19 barangays as ‘drug-cleared’ last Tuesday.

Prior to declaring that a barangay is drug-free, the Committee on Barangay Drug Clearing must convene and validate the absence of drug supply, drug shipment activity, clandestine laboratory, marijuana farming site, drug den, drug pusher and user and other similar drug related activities pursuant to the parameters set forth by the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) as provided in Section 8, DDB Board Regulation No. 3 Series of 2017, otherwise known as “Strengthening the Implementation of the Barangay Drug-Clearing Program,” said the NCRPO director.

Danao congratulated his men for the effective implementation of anti-illegal drug campaign and operations in their respective areas of responsibility paving the way for the drug-clearing of more barangays in their jurisdiction.

He also expressed his gratitude to concerned LGUs and other agencies who helped them pursue their program.

“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa walang sawang pagsuporta ng ating lokal na pamahalaan, PDEA at iba pang yunit at ahensya ng pamahalaan sa ating kampanya laban sa illegal na droga. Gayundin naman, nagpapasalamat po ako sa tulong ng ating mamamayan sa pagbibigay impormasyon na syang nagiging daan upang makapag latag po tayo ng mga programang direktang reresolba sa problema ng droga sa kanilang lugar,” the NCRPO director said.