SSB holds Barangay Drug Clearing lecture

EFFORT --- The municipal government of Sultan Sa Barongis conducted last August 23 a lecture and consultation on “Barangay Drug Clearing” to the town’s 12 barangay chairmen with the intent to declare several areas as “drug-cleared barangays.” At inset are Mayor Ramdatu Angas and OIC Chief of Police SPO4 Renante Quinalayo during interview of Mindanao Expose’ after the activity. (ANNE ACOSTA - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

SULTAN SA BARONGIS (SSB), Maguindanao --- This local government is determined to be out of drugs as it holds last August 23 a Barangay Drug Clearing Lecture and Consultation to further enlighten the community on the procedures of Barangay Drug-Clearing Operation.

The one-day activity was participated by the 12 barangay chairmen of the town.

Mayor Ramdatu Angas said that ever since they continue to encourage communities to take a pro-active stance in the government’s fight against proliferation of illegal drugs.

 “We are doing this to protect the welfare of the people in our 12 barangays: Angkayamat, Barurao, Bulod, Darampua, Gadungan, Kulambog, Langgapanan, Masulot, Papakan, Tugal, Tukanakuden, and Paldong,” he said.

Mayor Angas said they have five barangays subject for drug-clearing.

Junee Angas, President of the Liga ng mga Barangay, encouraged her fellow chairmen to strengthen their measures in order to prevent the spread of illegal drug activities.

“Let us be united in making a stand to fight illegal drugs,” she said.

Jabbar M. Musa, Municipal Local Government Operations officer, said the conduct of Barangay Drug-Clearing Operations of drug-affected barangays shall be conducted in three phases, namely: Pre-Operation Phase – The activities to be undertaken under this stage shall commence with the laying the groundwork and bases for effective and sustainable clearing operations against drug-affected barangays; Operation Phase – The objective of the operation phase is the actual implementation of drug supply and demand reduction strategies in priority drug-affected barangays; and lastly the Post–Operation Phase  -- This phase aims to maintain the “Drug Cleared” status of the barangays after drug-clearing operations through support activities to be funded from the general fund of the barangay.

“Classification of barangays are observed in determining the priority areas for clearing operations. First, the Drug-Unaffected Barangay where it has not ever been plagued or beset by any illegal drug activities. Second is the Drug-Affected Barangay where there is existence of drug user, pusher, manufacturer, marijuana cultivator, or other drug personality, regardless of number. Lastly, the Drug-Cleared Barangay where it is subjected to drug-clearing operations and declared free from any illegal drug activities,” Musa said.

Further, it was learned that the parameters for declaring “Drug-Cleared” status of drug-affected barangays are as follows: non-availability of drug supply; absence of drug transit/trans-shipment activity; absence of clandestine drug laboratory; absence of clandestine drug warehouse; absence of clandestine chemical warehouse; absence of marijuana cultivation site; absence of drug den, dive or resort; absence of drug pusher; absence of drug user/dependent; absence of protector/ coddler and financier; active involvement of barangay officials in anti-drug activities; active involvement of the Sanggunaing Kabataan to help maintain the drug-liberated status of the barangay; existence of drug awareness, preventive education and information, and other related programs; and existence of voluntary and compulsory drug treatment and rehabilitation processing desk.

Meanwhile, agent Marlon Santos of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao said that in order for a drug-affected barangay to be certified “Drug-Cleared,” after conducting the drug-clearing operations, the chief of the local police unit shall issue a certification declaring the “Drug-Cleared” status of the affected barangay that has been subjected to drug-clearing operations. The certificate shall be attested by the Chairman of the CADAC/MADAC. (GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE B. ACOSTA - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)