DAVAO CITY – The Regional Oversight Committee Barangay Drug Clearing Program (ROCBDC) declared 14 barangays in three municipalities in Davao del Sur as "drug-cleared".
In a statement on Sunday, Nov. 21, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Region 11 said the Committee convened and deliberated the documents submitted by the barangays last Nov. 17 at the Davao Sur Police Provincial Office Gym, Barangay San Agustin, Digos City, Davao del Sur.
The PDEA said the oversight committee concluded that Barangays Aplaya, Balutakay, Kibuaya, Mahayahay and Maliit Digos of the municipality of Hagonoy; Barangays Harada Butai, Lower Katipunan, Piape, Quirino District and Upper Malinao of Padada; and Barangay Caputian and Rizal of Malalag and Barangay Abnate and Bagong Silang of Kiblawan, "have satisfactorily complied with the required documents for Drug Cleared Barangay."
Based on Dangerous Drugs Board Regulation No. 4 Series of 2021, a "drug-cleared barangay" refers to a barangay "classified as previously drug affected, subjected to BDCP and declared cleared by ROCBDC.
Meanwhile, a "drug-free barangay" is an "unaffected barangay that has been vetted and confirmed by ROCBDC."
The activity was attended by municipal officials Hagonoy Municipal Mayor Franco Calida, Padada Municipal Mayor Pedro Caminer Jr., and Malalag Municipal Vice Mayor Ervin Emphasis. Members of the Anti Drug Abuse Council of the province and the barangays were also present during the gathering.