Some 28K barangays drug-free, P21-B worth of narcotics seized, says DILG

INQUIRER file photo of methamphetamine or shabu

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Interior Local Government (DILG) has declared 28,000 barangays nationwide drug-free after apprehending 95,790 individuals involved in narcotics from March 2023 to March this year.

Citing DILG’s data, Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. said the report was the result of the department’s efforts under the ‘Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan’ (BIDA) program, which marked its first year on Saturday.

“We’ve got 75,831 drug operations, 95,790 arrested drug personalities, P21 billion pesos worth of illegal drugs confiscated,” Abalos said in a statement issued on Sunday.

Citing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Abalos likewise said that 177 police personnel were slapped with drug-related charges under the campaign.

READ: 177 NCR police officers charged with drug-related offenses in 2023 — Marcos

Under the initiative, the DILG chief also said that 1,434 local government units have established their own community-based drug rehabilitation (CBDR) program, which catered to over 20,000 enrollees and, so far, served over 31,000 individuals who use drugs.

In eliminating the stigma faced by those who previously used drugs, Abalos said his agency is working with the Department of Labor and Employment in helping them find jobs after finishing the CBDP program.

READ: From addiction to recovery: How barangay rehab programs help people overcome drugs

He added the agency has also launched ‘Revitalized Pulis sa Barangay’ program, wherein law enforcers are “immersed by living in drug-infested communities to personally identify pressing issues and provide direct assistance to those in need.”

Abalos said they have conducted the newly-launched initiative in Muntinlupa, which he claimed lessened drug cases and focused on crimes committed within the area.