Five Negros Occidental barangays underwent onsite validations, which are in line with their application for a “drug cleared” declaration. The Barangay Drug Clearing Program Team, composed of personnel from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, visited Barangays Nato and Talaptap in La Castellana. Barangay Carabalan in Himamaylan City, and Barangays Banga and Cabia-an in Candoni.
The validation was conducted last Tuesday.
The process included participation by local officials, representatives from the church and the  Department of Education, barangay officials, individuals who were involved with illegal drugs.
Currently, 98 out of 601 barangays in the province have been declared “drug cleared.”/DGB, WDJ