“Comply with the drug-clearing program,” Tamayo orders SouthCot LGUs

Governor Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. ordered all city, municipal and barangay anti-drug abuse councils to comply with the mandates of the drug-clearing program to ensure their area are cleared from illegal drugs before the deadline set on October 15.
During the 3rd Quarter joint meeting of the Provincial and Municipal ADAC, at least 57 out of the 199 in the province are still affected by illegal drugs, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) reports.
PDEA Regional Director Naravy Duquiatan said only 142 barangays are cleared but need to undergo revalidation from the Regional Oversight Committee.
Out of the 57 affected barangays, 42 are considered slightly affected while 15 are moderately affected.
Duquiatan said the agency is serious on the drug-clearing program since the two municipalities of Tupi and Surallah are consistent winners for the Seal of Good Local Governance(SGLG) award.
She added non-compliance with the drug-clearing program will also affect the functionality and effectiveness of the local ADACs based on the Joint Memorandum Circular No. 2018-01 set by the Department of Interior and Local Government and the Dangerous Drug Board.
DDB Board Regulation No. 3, series of 2017 also issued the strengthening of the implementation of the Drug-Clearing Program.
According to the report submitted by PDEA, here is the list of local government units in the province who failed to submit their respective Barangay Drug Clearing Folders.
In Koronadal City, five barangays were not able to submit; three in Polomolok; 11 barangays in Tboli; four in Banga; five in Lake Sebu; six in Norala; four in Sto. Niño; and 13 in Tupi.
The municipalities of Surallah, Tampakan, and Tantangan completely submitted their folders for all of their barangays but are still lacking requirements.
These 51 barangays are subject for Provincial Oversight Committee’s deliberations, according to PDEA.
“We are serious with our drug clearing program since we do not want LGUs to be affected by the SGLG, more so there are cash incentives out of the award,” Duquiatan said.
Governor Tamayo as the head of the PADAC also ordered the council to closely monitor the progress of the drug clearing program especially to those with lacking requirements and have not submitted their folders.