Brgy. Bakilid, Mandaue aims to be drug-cleared in 2021

THE Mandaue City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (Cadac) announced that Brgy. Bakilid will be drug-cleared within this year.

The members of Cadac, particularly the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Mandaue, the Mandaue City Police Office and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) conducted a special meeting on March 23, 2021.

Mandaue City Councilor Nerissa Soon-Ruiz, the focal person of Cadac, said this special meeting is about making solutions for the problems encountered by Brgy, Bakilid in becoming a drug-cleared barangay.

The barangay still has to submit a few documents as proof of the efficacy of the drug campaign and interventions implemented before it will be declared a drug-cleared barangay.

Agent Geoffrey Flores, the head of PDEA Mandaue and the Barangay Drug Clearing officer, said they have encountered problems in dealing with uncooperative drug personalities.

With these personalities, Flores said they use a holistic approach by visiting the homes of the drug personalities and urge them to take advantage of the interventions that the government provides.

He said for the barangays to be qualified in becoming a drug-cleared barangay, they must account for all the drug personalities in their area who were included in the watch list.

After the barangays account for these personalities, Flores said they must complete all the different interventions that will be provided by Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (Badac).

Flores refused to provide the number of drug personalities availing of these interventions as it is confidential.

On the other hand, Ruiz said this has been one of the goals of Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes to make the city drug-cleared.

Ruiz said they just need to have at least one drug-cleared barangay first.

Once it will be achieved, Ruiz said this barangay will become a model barangay to motivate others in enforcing their Badac rehabilitation programs.

Ruiz said the city government and Mayor Cortes have been very supportive of the activities of Cadac in cleansing the city. (KFD)