DAGUPAN City continues to be a model of success for the Philippine National Police’s Oplan Double Barrel and President Rodrigo Duterte’s all-out war on drugs. According to Dagupan Police Chief Supt. Neil Miro, Barangay Poblacion Oeste was the latest area to be declared drug-free by the PNP, joining nine previous barangays believed to be rid of this social menace.
“We are glad to announce that Poblacion Oeste is now drug-free, and this is due to the effort exerted by the barangay council under the leadership of Punong Barangay Lolita Vallejos. They deserve our commendation for their cooperation,” Miro emphasized.
In his report to Mayor Belen Fernandez, who is the chairperson of the City Anti-Drug Abuse Council, Miro disclosed that Poblacion Oeste had at least 43 drug personalities in their list, and all of them were either arrested or surrendered under Operation Tokhang. A day earlier, Barangay Lomboy was likewise declared to be drug-free, making it the second island barangay after Salapingao to be given that distinction.
“Before the year ends, we hope that our target of making Dagupan at least 80 percent drug-free will be achieved,” noted Fernandez. At present, approximately 30 percent of the 31 barangays in the city have been cleared of drugs.
Miro expressed hope that the success of Dagupan’s anti-drug initiative can be replicated nationwide. “Mayor Fernandez has been instrumental in helping us craft a clear, systematic, and highly organized anti-drug program, including the rehabilitation of drug users,” he explained. “The rest of the country can learn important lessons about how to conduct effective, humane, and comprehensive anti-drug programs by taking a closer look at Dagupan City,” the Police Chief concluded.