Five barangays in this province were officially declared ‘drug-free’ by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Philippine National Police (PNP). In ceremonies held at the Quezon Police Provincial Office (QPPO) on Monday, the five barangay chairpersons representing each village were also recognized for their successful efforts to rid their respective communities of illegal drugs. QPPO director Col. Ledon Monte said the villages underwent rigid assessment by the QPPO and the Regional Drug Enforcement Agency to confirm “almost zero” illegal drug trade occurring in these areas at present. The five village chiefs who received certificates of recognition for their now drug-free barangays are: Lea Amorada of Barangay Mamala 2, Sariaya town; Rommel Barrot of Barangay Tongko, Tayabas City; Roderick Macinas of Barangay Dalahican, Lucena City; Jorge Glorioso of Barangay Sta. Catalina in Pagbilao; and Edgardo Austan of Barangay 2, Lucban town. Monte said more villages in Quezon are now in the process of validation by the QPPO and PDEA to confirm their drug-free status. “We have started the certification and declaration of drug-free status in the barangay level, to be followed by municipal, until the whole province can be certified as drug-free,” he added. Quezon province, including its capital Lucena City, has a total of 1,242 barangays. “I’m optimistic (that) in the coming days and months, that one after another, the barangays will be declared drug-free. It is a big challenge for all of us to clean the entire province of illegal drugs and be declared drug-free, and we are still far away. But with their active collaboration between the residents, local government and stakeholders, we can overcome our goal,’ Monte said.
Source: Philippines News Agency
