Twenty nine (29) barangays in the Province of Quirino were declared as drug-cleared and drug-free by the Regional Oversight Committee (ROC) in a ceremony conducted on March 9, 2018 at the People’s Gymnasium, Capitol Hills, Cabarroguis, Quirino.
Declared as drug-free barangays were Guribang, Dona Imelda, San Pascual, Baguio Village, Aklan Village, Ifugao Village, Macate, Magsaysay, Don Mariano Perez, Don Faustino Pagaduan, Campamento, Gregorio Pimentel, and Gulac of the Municipality of Diffun; Villa Gracia, Ysmael, Sto. Tomas, and Cabua-an of the Municipality of Maddela; and Landingan, Disimungal, Anak, Asaklat, San Pugo, Matmad, Mataddi, Keat, Gulayan, and Guingin of the Municipality of Nagtipunan. On the other hand, barangays Cardenas and Salvacion of the Municipality of Saguday were the only barangays declared as drug-cleared.
The declaration was made by the ROC composed of representatives from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Philippine National Police (PNP), and Department of Health (DOH). The committee is headed by Dir. Laurefel P. Gabales of the PDEA.
In his message, Gov. Junie E. Cua remarked that this event has been long-awaited since the creation of the Team EMBRACE which has been given the task to initiate programs, projects and activities in support to the ongoing fight against illegal drugs. He also congratulated the Municipal and Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (M/BADACs) for their effort in this achievement.
PCSupt. Jose Mario M. Espino, Regional Director of Police Regional Office 02, graced the event as the Guest of Honor. He emphasized that the collaboration of all concerned agencies and LGUs is an essential element in the fight against illegal drugs. He also desired for more barangays to be declared as drug-cleared in the Province of Quirino.
In their Pledge of Commitment, the Local Chief Executives of the four (4) Municipalities with declared drug-cleared and drug-free barangays namely Hon. Marlo S. Guillermo of Diffun, Hon. Marcelina M. Pagbilao of Saguday, Hon. Renato Ylanan of Maddela, and Hon. Nieveros C. Meneses of Nagtipunan ensured their full support to the program. They committed themselves to further be involved in the eradication of illegal drugs in the community.
The BADAC and stakeholders of the declared barangays were conferred with a Certificate of Recognition for their involvement that paved way for this success.
#LGOO II Jeremiah D. Gramata
