By Paulo Loreto Lim

The Regional Oversight Committee on the Barangay Drug-Clearing Program recently declared Barangays Luna and Santa Isabel in Iloilo City’s Jaro district, along with Barangay Sampaguita in the city’s City Proper district, as drug-free.

“We would like to congratulate these three barangays and their officials,” said Iloilo City Mayor Jose Espinosa III.

The awarding committee is chaired by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and composed of provincial representatives from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Department of Health (DOH), and local government units.

PDEA-Region VI (PDEA-6) Director Wardley Getalla chairs the regional body and is a signatory on the drug-free barangay certificate, which is awarded to the recognized neighborhoods.

Other committee members include DILG-6 director, Atty. Anthony Nuyda; DOH-6 director, Dr. Marlyn Convocar; PRO-6 director, Police Chief Superintendent Cesar Hawthorne Binag; and Espinosa./PLL, WDJ