Leyte’s Baybay City declared as drug-free

BAYBAY CITY, Leyte, March 29  -- The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) have jointly declared this city as free from the drug menace.

All of Baybay City‘s 79 drug-affected villages have been cleared of illegal drugs, as certified by the anti-narcotics agency and the police.

Members of the village drug-clearing oversight committee signed the certificate for each area at the Baybay City legislative building on Wednesday.

“I am very thankful that formally Baybay City is declared as drug-cleared,” said Mayor Carmen Cari.
“To the police, thank you for helping a lot in reducing the supply of illegal drugs in the city. Without your efforts, our city will not be declared as drug-free.”

Police Regional Office 8 (Eastern Visayas) Regional Director, Chief Supt. Gilbert Cruz, lauded village officials for taking the lead in fighting illegal drugs, reminding them to maintain the status of their community and ensure a safe and secure environment for their children.

Cruz also tasked local officials to help drug surrenderers recover from drug dependence and start a new life.

“This is not yet over. Remember that after the declaration, we must ensure that illegal drugs will not proliferate again in your place. Give surrenderers a second chance to start a new life because they want to get back their identity,” he said.

PDEA-8 Regional Director Edgar Jubay, meanwhile, urged local officials not only to focus on their area of responsibility, but also prevent the proliferation of illegal drugs in nearby villages.

“Maintain, sustain and enhance your status, but most of all, also monitor your neighboring villages if there are illegal drug operations,” Jubay said.

This city is the 13th local government in Leyte province to be declared as drug-cleared.

Of Baybay’s 2,252 drug surrenderers, 238 were categorized as low risk, 262 as moderate, and 98 as high risk, needing rehabilitation. (RTA/PNA)