THE status of first “drug-free” barangay in Mandaue City will be awarded by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to Barangay Bakilid this month, according to the City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (Cadac).
Mandaue City Councilor Nerissa Soon-Ruiz, Cadac focal person, said PDEA and the Philippine National Police (PNP) are currently processing the documentary requirements of Barangay Bakilid before it will be declared a drug-free barangay.
Last March, Cadac and PDEA announced that they would give the award to Barangay Bakilid within the year.
Ruiz said a barangay will be declared “drug-free” if there are no illegal drug-related activities, such as selling and using of drugs, within the barangay.
She said they were only able to find drug users, and not sellers, in the area, and enrolled them in the rehabilitation program.
After graduating from the rehabilitation program, Cadac monitored them by conducting drug tests ever week. No one was found positive for using drugs since then.
Ruiz said PDEA told them that aside from Barangay Bakilid, Barangay Tawason will also be declared “drug-free” within the year.
Since some barangays in Mandaue City will soon be declared “drug-free,” maintaining this title will be the next challenge of these barangays.
Ruiz assured that these barangays will maintain their status of being drug-free, saying they were able to achieve this with the support of Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes and the cooperation of the involved agencies such as PDEA, the PNP, and Department of the Interior and Local Government.
Ruiz is eyeing to seek the help of the city government and the Cebu provincial to be able to give a P1 million cash incentive to the drug-free barangays. (KFD)