CEBU CITY, Cebu (PIA) – The number of drug-affected barangays in Central Visayas has significantly decreased over the past few years, according to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 7. 

The drug affectation rate in the region dropped to 40.59 percent in 2023 from 48.05 percent in 2022.

During the recent Regional Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee (RLECC) Meeting here, PDEA reported that the drug affectation rate in the region has seen a continued decline for the past six years, from 90.81 percent in 2017 to 40.59 percent in 2023. 

This means around 60 percent of the total barangays in the region have already been declared to be either drug-cleared or drug-free.

Of the total 3,033 barangays in Central Visayas, there are now only 1,219 barangays considered to be drug-affected.

In Central Visayas, Negros Oriental logged the highest drug affectation rate with 53.77 percent, followed by Bohol with 39.77 percent, Cebu with 36.77 percent, and Siquijor province with zero or no reported drug-affected barangays.

RLECC 7 chairperson and Police Regional Office 7 regional director Police BGen. Anthony Aberin lauded the efforts of the agencies in their accomplishments leading to the success of the anti-illegal drugs campaign in the province. 

“I encourage everyone, na ituloy ang magandang ginagawa (to continue what you’re doing). To the RLECC member agencies, let us continue to enhance our efforts in the area of peace and order and in our fight against criminality and illegal drugs,” said Aberin. 

He said the committee hopes to strengthen its whole-of-nation approach in the war against illegal drugs. 

“All law enforcement agencies should strongly collaborate and converge their efforts so we can gain further success in our fight against illegal drugs. With the aggressive approach of the RLECC agencies, there is no reason that we cannot achieve our goal of transforming the affected barangays in Central Visayas into drug-cleared or drug-free barangays,” Aberin added.

PDEA also attributed the continued reduction of drug-affected barangays to the effective implementation of the Barangay Drug Clearing Program (BDCP) in the local government units (LGUs).

The agency also partnered with other agencies for the Recovery and Wellness Program (RWP) and Community-Based Drug Rehabilitation Program (CBDRP). 

CBDRP is an integrated model for drug users with moderate risk for drug dependence and/or mild substance use disorder. 

Clients under this program are provided with care from outreach and low-threshold services through coordination with health, social, and other non-specialist services needed to meet their needs.

LGUs are mandated to implement CBDRPs, depending on available resources and the number of clients they accept. (RGC/PIA7 Cebu)