PDEA declares Bataan as 1st drug free province

CAMP TOLENTINO, Balanga City – Based on reports submitted to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), as of November 15, 2016, Bataan is the first drug free province in the country.

This is a positive development considering that earlier this year, on June 30, Bataeños were astounded by a report that 211 out of its 237 barangays were affected by illegal drugs.

Governor Abet S. Garcia and Bataan Police Director Benjamin Silo took a proactive stance on this matter. A validation workshop with PDEA Reg. 3 was immediately conducted, based on the 14 parameters set by the Dangerous Drugs Board, followed by the formation of Sumbong Bilis Program, in addition to the Barangay Anti-Illegal Drug Abuse Council (BADAC), Oplan Tokhang and I Patroller schemes earlier implemented. Nowadays, that grim news on June 30 is just a thing of the past.

To date, Bataan has established 13 Bahay Pagbabago Reformation Centers that serve as the new home of surrenderers for a month. Here, they receive the necessary guidance, assistance and intervention that will pave the way for them to once again become participative, productive and responsible citizens upon reintegration into their respective communities.

Earlier, PNP Chief, Police Director General Ronald M. Dela Rosa made a command visit at the Bataan Police Provincial Office here. Popularly known today as “General Bato,” he and Bataan Governor Albert Garcia led the ribbon cutting ceremony and blessing of Bahay Pagbabago in Limay.

PDG Dela Rosa also visited the 1Bataan Command Center and checked the facilities and equipment which help in monitoring, preventing and capturing activities of lawless elements in the province.

In a related development, just recently, delivering on an earlier commitment to support the government’s campaign against illegal drugs, San Miguel Corp., through its social development arm The San Miguel Foundation, has signed an agreement to build a drug rehabilitation facility in Bataan.

Under the agreement, SMC will fund and construct the rehab center on land identified and provided by the Bataan provincial government. The Department of Health, which will run and maintain the facility, will provide specifications for the facility in consultation with the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Office of the President.

The facility is the first of several that San Miguel is looking to build under a P1-billion donation it pledged to the government last August.

With reports from Jonie Capalaran and Ronald Supnad