The government has declared a total of 5,987 or 14.24 percent of barangays in the country as drug-free communities.
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. said the government also recorded a total of 26,544 (63.13 percent) drug cleared-barangays and 538 or 1.28 percent drug-unaffected.
Abalos, however, said 8,977 barangays or 21.35 percent are still drug affected, with 329 being classified as seriously affected; 6,623 as moderately affected; and, 2,635 as slightly affected.
“There is still more to be accomplished and I know that the PNP will be with us until the end,” he said.
The DILG chief recently commended the National Capital Region Police Office for the P39.6-million worth of illegal drugs confiscated and the arrest of 516 suspects in just a week from December 5-9, 2022.
“Your proactive response to the call to eradicate illegal drugs within your jurisdiction leading to the confiscation of P39.6-million worth of illegal drugs is an inspiration to us all and a boost of confidence not just for the PNP but for the Philippine government,” he said.
NCRPO records showed that the Southern Police District was able to confiscate a total of P28.16-million worth of illegal drugs constituting to 4,129.09 grams of shabu, 306.52 grams of marijuana, and four grams of cocaine.
The Northern Police District comes next with P6.2-million from 911.58 grams of shabu and 762.8 grams of marijuana.
The Western Police District is in third place with P2.45-million from 353.92 grams of shabu and 380 grams of marijuana; Eastern Police District with P1.53-million from 224.69 grams of shabu and 35 grams of marijuana; and, Quezon Police District with P1.2-million from 171.07 grams of shabu and 306.52 grams of marijuana.
Abalos said from December 5 to 9, the PNP-NCRPO was also able to arrest 516 illegal drug suspects 18 of which were high-value targets; 384 street-level individuals; and 114 not listed in the drugs watch list.
Meanwhile, the Department of Health received 4,400 persons who used drugs (PWUDs) in Metro Manila who voluntarily surrendered to undergo recovery wellness and drug rehabilitation program through the cooperation of the local government units.