By Jennifer P. Rendon
Despite an increase in drug arrests and confiscations over the past few years, the Police Regional Office (PRO) 6 acknowledged that the government’s Barangay Drug Clearing Program (BDCP) has not significantly impacted the reduction of drug supply or demand.
Brig. Gen. Jack Wanky, Western Visayas police chief, explained that while more barangays have been declared drug-cleared, this does not necessarily mean a decrease in illegal drug activities.
“The focus is on drug users who have been identified and sent for rehabilitation,” Wanky said.
He added that even areas previously declared drug-cleared are not guaranteed to remain free from illegal drug trade.
“It doesn’t mean that if a barangay is cleared now, it will stay cleared forever. That’s why we periodically review these areas to ensure they maintain their status,” Wanky explained.
Given the situation, Wanky suggested that determining drug-cleared areas should not be based solely on percentages.
Even Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” C. Abalos Jr. has reportedly called for a review of the term “drug-cleared” to avoid confusion.
Wanky said that authorities, including the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), are discussing potential changes to the classification system to ensure it accurately reflects the status of barangays.
As of the latest records, 93.48 percent of barangays in Western Visayas have been declared drug-cleared.
During the 55th Regional Oversight Committee Deliberation on the Barangay Drug Clearing Program (ROCBDC) held on September 26, two barangays each from Binalbagan, Calatrava, Isabela, and Kabankalan City, along with one each from Pontevedra, Cadiz City, and San Enrique—all in Negros Occidental—were approved as drug-cleared.
This brings the total number of cleared barangays in Western Visayas to 3,787 out of 4,051, leaving 264 barangays (6.52 percent) still up for deliberation.
All barangays in Aklan (327), Antique (590), and Guimaras (98) maintain 100 percent drug-cleared status.
Meanwhile, Iloilo province stands at 99.59 percent, Capiz at 93.45 percent, and Negros Occidental at 83.19 percent.
The highly urbanized cities of Iloilo and Bacolod have lower rates, with 52.78 percent and 34.43 percent, respectively.
The RBDCP team includes representatives from PDEA-6, DILG-6, PRO-6, and the Department of Health (DOH) Western Visayas Center for Health Development.
Following the recent deliberations, authorities conducted a series of anti-narcotics operations. Over a three-day period, more than PHP 13 million worth of illegal drugs were seized in Iloilo province and Iloilo City.
From October 1 to 3, eight operations in Iloilo province led to the confiscation of approximately PHP 9.135 million worth of illegal drugs and the arrest of 11 individuals.
Meanwhile, nine operations in Iloilo City resulted in the recovery of PHP 4.15 million worth of shabu.
