By Freddie G. Lazaro
Laoag City, Ilocos Norte - The Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) of Ilocos Norte confirmed the declaration of nine towns and 518 barangays in the province as drug-free, based on the evaluation of the Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC) and the Municipal Anti-Drug Abuse Council (MADAC).
Lanibelle C. Ancheta of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), reported that the municipalities of Adams, Banna, Burgos, Currimao, Dumalneg, Piddig and Vintar were certified as drug-free.
According to Ancheta, the supply and demand of drugs in the province are decreasing due to effective rehabilitation and reformation programs for drug users.
“The decrease in the number of arrested persons and seizure of illegal drugs during anti-drug operations indicates a non-availability or low supply of drugs in the province,” she explained.
Ancheta also reassured that PDEA will remain relentless in battling the illegal drugs menace.
“We in PDEA will continuously bring the anti-drug campaign to the grassroots. Law enforcers will continue to be more vigilant and sustain our strengthened efforts to suppress and prevent the entry of illegal drugs into the province,” she stressed.