By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

A total of 205 of the 601 barangays in Negros Occidental have been declared drug-free by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Region 6 (PDEA-6).

Based on a report released by PDEA-6, 95 barangays in Negros Occidental have also been declared unaffected by illegal drugs.

In Bacolod City, 10 out of 61 barangays have also been declared drug-free, but it also noted that all 61 are still affected by illegal drugs.

Earlier, Board Member Juvy Pepello, who represents the 601 barangay captains at the Negros Occidental Sangguniang Panlalawigan, said 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.

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, she said./DGB, WDJ