141 Eastern Samar villages now drug-free: PDEA

BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar, Oct. 5 -- At least 141 villages in this province have been declared drug-free by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

The number represents 24 percent of the 597 villages in the province.

The municipalities of Maslog and Gen. MacArthur were recently declared drug-free towns in Eastern Samar, said PDEA assistant provincial officer Josefat Macawile on Wednesday.

“But this doesn’t necessarily mean that these areas are completely free from illegal drugs. There is still risk that illegal drugs trade and use will recur in these drug-cleared villages,” Macawile said.

“It is now the job of the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC) to monitor these communities," she said.

BADAC is headed by the village chief with some council members, watchmen, school officials, youth group, non-government organization representatives, and religious leaders as members.

Their mandate includes formulation, implementation and evaluation of programs and projects on drug abuse prevention, gather and update data on all drug related incidents and its effects to the peace and order situation and submits the monthly report of the city or municipal anti-drug abuse council and referring suspected drug users for corresponding counseling and rehabilitation.

Since the government launched a crackdown against illegal drugs, thousands have already surrendered to authorities. They have been assisted by local governments through community-based rehabilitation program and livelihood skills training.

A PHP5-million drug rehabilitation center will rise in Borongan City next year. (RTA/PNA)