Only 10 villages in Catanduanes remain drug-affected, PDEA says

VIRAC, Catanduanes — Ten of the 315 villages in Catanduanes province remain affected by illegal drugs, an official from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Catanduanes said Thursday, March 23.

Investigation Agent Arlene Galiza, PDEA Catanduanes provincial officer, said in a statement that Barangay (village) Baybay Poblacion in Caramoran town, and nine other barangays from the capital town of Virac – Calatagan Proper, Cavinitan, Concepcion, Gogon Sirangan, Palnab Del Norte, Rawis, Salvacion, San Isidro Village, and Sta. Elena still have records of drug-related activities and drug personalities.

The PDEA official said they are still in their best efforts to boost the anti-illegal drug campaign in the province through their “Barkada Kontra Droga” campaign.

Galiza said the agency conducts career training and workshops for drug enforcement officers in the province and the different anti-drug abuse councils at the barangay, municipal, and provincial levels.

On Monday, March 20, PDEA Bicol director Edgar Jubay declared in a statement that it is possible that the provinces of Catanduanes and Sorsogon can be declared ‘drug-free’ this year, making them the first two drug-cleared provinces in the Bicol region.

Galiza said added that seven municipalities in Catanduanes are about to be declared drug-free in the coming months. Jona Mae Camacho, contributor

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