SOUTH COTABATO, Philippines – South Cotabato is now just nine barangays away from achieving a fully drug-cleared province, with local authorities intensifying rehabilitation and monitoring programs to clear the remaining affected areas.
The initiative ensures that communities do not regress into drug-affected classification through continuous monitoring, institutional support, and strict adherence to national standards set by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Department of Health (DOH).
According to PADAC In-Charge Princess Izra A. Griño, the 183 barangays that have attained drug-cleared status are currently undergoing retention monitoring. Eight barangays are classified as drug-free, while nine remain drug-affected, distributed across Koronadal City (5), Banga (2), Polomolok (1), and Tampakan (1).
“Para sa ating mga drug-cleared barangays, meron tayong retention monitoring. Kailangan nilang i-comply yung mga requirements ng ating drug enforcement agencies para ma-retain ang kanilang drug-cleared status,” Griño said.
She added that to be certified as drug-cleared, a barangay must first establish a Department of Health (DOH)-accredited Community-Based Drug Rehabilitation Program (CBDRP) that provides appropriate interventions for Persons Who Use Drugs (PWUD), including general interventions for low-risk individuals and the Katatagan, kalusugan, at damayan sa komunidad (KKDK) program for moderate-risk drug users.
As part of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency’s (PDEA) parameters for drug-cleared status, a barangay must also secure a Certificate of No Active Drug Personality to qualify for or maintain its drug-cleared status.
Griño also clarified that isolated law enforcement operations, such as buy-bust operations resulting in drug-related arrests, do not automatically revoke a barangay’s drug-cleared status.
“May mga parameters na tinitingnan ang ating law enforcement agencies. Ang status revocation ay nangyayari kung ma-expire ang kanilang certification o kung hindi makapa-retain, posibleng babalik sila sa drug-affected status,” Griño emphasized.
Apart from existing efforts, PADAC is also committed to extending assistance to barangays, particularly those whose drug-cleared certifications are nearing expiration.
The Provincial Government through the leadership of Governor Reynaldo S. Tamayo, Jr., together with different law enforcement agencies, continues to provide technical and operational support to ensure that LGUs receive the necessary assistance in sustaining existing drug-cleared barangays and achieving a fully drug-cleared South Cotabato.
