THE Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) have placed on high gear their efforts to clear all barangays in the country of illegal drug activities thru a stepped-up partnership with local government units and the community, the Journal Group learned yesterday.

On orders of PNP Officer-in-Charge, Lieutenant General Vicente D. Danao Jr., all 17 Police Regional Offices have intensified their ‘drug-clearing’ operations across the country in line with their end-game strategy in the war on drugs.

The strategy called Anti-Illegal Drugs Operations through Reinforcement and Education or Adore primarily focuses on addressing narcotics or substance abuse as a “chronic but treatable medical condition” and embarking on a multifaceted reinforcement and education-based strategy.

The program specifically targets “rehabilitation, recovery and wellness and reintegration of the more than 1.2 million that surrendered” as well as through continuing antinarcotics operations.

Lt. Gen. Danao has led the 225,000-strong police force in expressing its deepest gratitude to outgoing President Duterte and at the same time saying they are ready to ensure the smooth transition of power to President-elect Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr.

Records showed the number of Persons Who Use Drugs (PWUDs) also went down from 4.73 million in 2016 to 1.67 million in 2019, based on a household survey conducted by the Dangerous Drugs Board.

PDEA chair, Director General Wilkins M. Villanueva said they have further stepped-up their partnership with officials of the 42,045 barangays nationwide as part of their continuing war on drugs.

So far, the PDEA has already declared 25,061 barangays in the country as ‘drug-cleared’ and are still to clear 10,410 others.

Villanueva said this is the reason why they are building up their solidarity with their barangay counterparts nationwide in line with their intensified fight against illegal drug trafficking and abuse.

“The fight against illegal drugs begins and ends in the barangays. Together with other drug law enforcement agencies, PDEA forged alliances with these communities to keep illicit drugs off the streets and protect the people away from the lures of drug abuse,” Villanueva said in his speech during the PDEA’s 20th founding anniversary on Tuesday last week.

Their anniversary then was aptly called: “Magka-agapay: PDEA at Barangay.”

The PDEA chief led the agency’s key officials, personnel and guests during the anniversary program wherein a congratulatory video message from President Duterte was played.

As a matter of tradition done every year, PDEA honored the best performing services and personnel who have demonstrated exceptional service over and above the call of duty.

The anniversary program also featured an audio-visual presentation which showcased the PDEA Director General’s Executive Report, summarizing the notable anti-drug accomplishments for the past 20 years.

Also highlighted during the presentation was the Barangay Drug Clearing Program (BDCP) as the main framework of the anti-drug strategy of PDEA in pursuing safer and drug-free communities.

Holistic in nature and adopting a whole-of-nation approach, the BDCP enlisted the support of all stakeholders, duty bearers and local government units in barangay drug-clearing operations.

“Assuming the role of a catalyst in spurring growth of healthy communities that are free from the ill effects of illegal drugs is the BDCP. I am confident that the program is our best chance in ultimately eliminating the drug menace,” Villanueva noted.

A total of 25,061 barangays have been declared cleared from illegal drugs from July 1, 2016 to last April 30.

A barangay can be declared ‘drug-cleared’ or free from illegal drug activities if it meets these six requirements: non-availability of drug supply, absence of drug den, pusher, user; absence of clandestine drug laboratory; active involvement of barangay officials in anti-drug activities; existence of drug awareness, preventive education and information; and existence of voluntary and compulsory drug treatment and rehabilitation processing desk.

The parameters are set under Dangerous Drugs Board Regulation No. 3 series of 2017, said DDB chairman, Undersecretary Catalino S. Cuy.

The DDB regulation further directs the establishment of oversight committees which is responsible in declaring a barangay as drug-free after satisfying all parameters.

An oversight committee is headed by a chairperson who is the Regional Director of the PDEA or a representative and a vice-chairperson who is the Department of Interior and Local Government regional director or a representative.

Its members are representatives of PNP, Department of Health and a local government unit representative appointed by a local chief executive.

After assessment and validation, the oversight committee will issue a certification declaring drug-cleared status of affected barangay pertinent to the compliance with the parameters.

The certificate must be attested by the chairperson of the Oversight Committee, city or municipal anti-drug abuse council, Chief of Police, and validated by PDEA Regional Director.