VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur (PIA) – Twenty-nine additional barangays have been added to the list of drug-cleared barangays in Ilocos Sur, bringing the total to 539 out of 631 drug-affected barangays in the province as of June, according to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
During the joint Provincial Peace and Order Council, Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council, and Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Meeting on Thursday, PDEA Provincial Officer Noreen Bautista reported that this progress was achieved in the first semester of 2024.
While no towns or cities were reported to be drug-cleared this year, Bautista said that the 18 drug-cleared towns remain unchanged.
She said, “The province still has 92 drug-affected barangays, and we are consistently monitoring and maintaining the status of the 137 drug-unaffected barangays.”
In this city, 18 barangays are drug-cleared, three remain drug-free, and there are still 18 barangays that have drug affectations.
To further strengthen the efforts of the PDEA to eradicate drugs in the city, the city government, through the City Social Welfare and Development Office, is constantly implementing various skills training programs through the city’s Vigan Skills Training Institute for persons who used drugs (PWUDS).
Under the Community-Based Drug Rehabilitation Program, PWUDS are provided assistance to start income-generating projects, including support for livestock raising such as cows and goats, beauty and salon materials, as well as the provision of machinery like ovens and electric aluminum cutters.
Additional capital for livelihoods like fish farming, broom and garter making, support for rice and charcoal, and sari-sari stores are also provided.
Financial assistance for rehabilitation has been given to seven PWUDs, and in 2021, one PWUD received aid through the Core Shelter Assistance Program from the Department of Social Welfare and Development to help repair their partially damaged house.
As of this month, six PWUDs are currently undergoing the city government’s 18-month after-care service program, while 13 PWUDs who graduated from the program are undergoing a reformation program at Balay Namnama in Candon City, Ilocos Sur.
In celebration of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (IDADAIT) on June 26, the PDEA-Ilocos Sur Provincial Office partnered with the Vigan City Police Station and the Metro Vigan Zumba Dancers Alliance Inc. to host a free Zumba dance at the Provincial Farmers Livelihood Development Center.
A tree planting activity was also conducted by PDEA, in partnership with the Northern Elite Defenders Finest Eagles Club, at barangays Baggoc and Pantay Quitiquit in Caoayan, Ilocos Sur, to support environmental protection and build a greener, more sustainable future.
Prior to this, a two-day youth anti-drug summit and capacity-building session for anti-drug abuse councils took place on June 4–5 at the Vigan Convention Center, which was attended by barangay captains, members of the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC), and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairpersons and members.
During the summit, participants gained insights into the roles of ADACs and SK members, familiarized themselves with the important provisions of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and learned about the physiological and psychological effects of illegal drugs.
They also received training in basic firefighting, earthquake drills, rescue operations, first aid, and basic life support.
According to Venelyn Keil Arruejo, SK chairperson of Barangay Nagsangalan, the summit was a meaningful and educational activity as she learned about the penalties and consequences of using illegal drugs, particularly for teenagers, among others.
She also expressed her admiration for how government agencies ensure the proper handling and apprehension of drug users and thanked the government for organizing the summit, as they strive to pass these learnings on to others.
She said, “During the two-day seminar, I realized how much impact we, as leaders, have on our society and community. As the SK chairperson of our barangay, I learned valuable suggestions and advice on redirecting the youth towards sports and other seminars to prevent the use of illegal drugs. The saying ‘kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan’ highlights the importance of leaders in guiding and supporting our youth.”
The celebration aimed to foster greater collaboration and action in working towards a world free of drug abuse. (AMB/JMCQ, PIA Ilocos Sur)
