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Friday, March 29, 2024

5 more Makati villages declared ‘drug-cleared’

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Makati Mayor Abby Binay has disclosed that five more barangays have been cleared of drugs by the Regional Oversight Committee on Barangay Drug-Clearing Program as a result of the intensified anti-illegal drugs campaign in the city.

Barangays-Air, Dasmariñas, Sta. Cruz, Pinagkaisahan, and Post Proper Southside were declared ‘drug-cleared’ last February 27.

Mayor Abby commended the barangay captains, Makati Anti-Drug Abuse Council (MADAC), Philippine National Police – Makati, the Department of the Interior and Local Government – Makati as well as the anti-drugs taskforce for their hard work and efforts in eradicating drugs in Makati.

“Congratulations to the five barangays for achieving a drug-cleared status. We honor the anti-drugs taskforce for your exemplary efforts to eradicate illegal drugs and its accompanying unlawful acts in the city. Let us continue to work hand-in-hand to put an end to the illegal trade and save the future of our young Makatizens,” said Mayor Abby.

Recently-awarded barangays, headed by chieftains Constancia Lichauco (Bel-Air), Martin Arenas (Dasmariñas), Virginia Salenga (Sta. Cruz), Fernando Bolo (Pinagkaisahan), and Maribel Vitales (Post Proper Southside), complied with the parameters set for declaring “Drug-Cleared Barangays” as per Sec. 8 of DDB Regulation No. 3, series of 2017.

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Among the conditions met by the barangays are the 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 pushers; absence of drug users and drug dependents; and absence of protectors, coddlers and financiers.

Other criteria included active involvement of barangay officials in anti-illegal drugs activities; active involvement of Sangguniang Kabataan representatives in maintaining the drug-liberated status of the barangay; and the existence of drug awareness, preventive education and information, and other related anti-illegal drugs programs and the existence of a voluntary and compulsory drug treatment and rehabilitation processing desk in the barangay.

The certifications were validated by Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency – National Capital Region (PDEA – NCR) Regional Director Dir. III Joel B. Plaza and certified by Makati Chief of Police, PSSUPT. Rogelio Simon.

From May 10 to November 23, 2018, the Makati police had conducted 333 anti-illegal drugs operations. This resulted in the arrest of 588 illegal drugs personalities and seizing of a total of P769,021.78 worth of dangerous drugs (DDB value).

Additionally, in 2018, the Preventive, Education, Training and Information Dissemination Services (PETID) division of MADAC conducted a Special Drug Education Program Symposium to Makati public schools benefitting some 10,170 students. The symposium discussed the adverse effects of abuse and misuse of dangerous drugs on individuals and families, at the workplace, and the entire community. 

Out of School Youth (OSY) Parent Effectiveness Seminar was also conducted for some 324 parents and guardians of Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) and Government Internship Program (GIP) applicants. Discussed at the seminar were the impact of addiction on families, their role as parents and the rehabilitation and recovery phase from illegal drugs. 

A total of 25,793 individuals including city government workers, barangay personnel, clients of city rehabilitation programs, BJMP detainees, and drivers of public utility vehicles underwent Random Drug Testing. The project aims to identify those individuals who are using drugs and recommend appropriate treatment for them through the Drug Dependency Examination (DDE). 

Meanwhile, City Ordinance 2018-084 or the Drug Free Workplace Ordinance of the City Government of Makati has also been approved by the Sangguniang Panlungsod to ensure the maintenance of a safe and healthy work environment free from the use of dangerous drugs and its deleterious effects.

To date, Makati has nine drug-cleared and drug free barangays. Certified drug-free barangays included Barangays Urdaneta and San Lorenzo while Barangays Forbes Park and Magallanes were declared drug-cleared. 

According to the DILG-Makati, barangays which are initially validated by the PDEA as “drug-cleared barangays” will receive a “drug-free” certification once consistently showed zero illegal drug incidents on record.

Based on Sec. 11 of DDB Regulation No. 8 series of 2017, after conducting drug-clearing operations in the barangay, the oversight committee will issue the drug-cleared certification of a barangay which complied with the parameters set by the board regulation. Afterwards, the Local Chief Executive or the ADAC chairman will attest the certification to be certified by the local chief of police and validated by the regional director of PDEA.

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