BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency reported that 205 of the 601 Negros Occidental barangays, excluding Bacolod City, are now drug-cleared, which shows a 34.10 percent result.
Of the 61 barangays in Bacolod City, 10 were declared drug-cleared, the PDEA-6 reported.
There are 95 barangays in Negros Occidental unaffected by illegal drugs, but all the 61 barangays in Bacolod City were affected by illegal drugs, PDEA 6 reported.
In Western Visayas, the PDEA reported that 3,222 of the 4,051 barangays were already declared “drug-cleared”, that is equivalent to 79.53 percent cleared from illegal drugs.
Board Member Juvy Pepello, who represents the 601 barangay captains at the Negros Occidental Sangguniang Panlalawigan, said earlier that 31 more barangays are now undergoing deliberations. Pepello also said they are fully supporting the PDEA in its efforts to rid barangays of illegal drugs. She noted that some Negrenses are hesitant to cooperate with authorities in reporting persons engaged in illegal activities in their areas, as it may endanger their own lives.*
