By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Around 18 additional villages in Negros Occidental have been declared “drug-cleared” by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Western Visayas (PDEA-6) on Friday, March 24.

PDEA-6 director Jeanette Reyes said the 18 applicant-barangays were from the cities of Bago, Cadiz, La Carlota, Silay, Talisay, and Victorias; and from the towns of E.B. Magalona, Hinoba-an, Isabela, Manapla, Murcia, and Valladolid.

Of the 23 villages in E.B. Magalona, three more barangays — 2 (Poblacion), Manta-angan and San Jose — have been declared drug-cleared, bringing the total number to 19.

Meanwhile, Mayor Marvin Malacon said they will not stop until all barangays in the town are cleared.

According to Reyes, there are 14 parameters that need to be addressed through the help of the city or municipal anti-drug abuse council.

PDEA-6 will continue to collaborate with other government agencies to increase the number of barangays to be declared drug-cleared.

They will also conduct validation and verification so that the status will be maintained, the agency said in a statement.

Reyes thanked the efforts of the local government units and the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

She encouraged village officials to maintain their drug-cleared status as they undergo deliberation annually./DGB, WDJ