(DRUG-CLEARED. City officials led by Mayor Edwin Santiago pose for a photo with the officials of Barangay Pulung Bulu headed by Captain Ernesto Carreon, Jr. who were awarded for having their barangay declared as drug-cleared by the Regional Oversight Committee on Barangay Drug Clearing Program.)
Pulung Bulu was declared by the Regional Oversight Committee on Barangay Drug Clearing Program as the third drug-cleared barangay in the City of San Fernando.
The certificate was presented by the City Government of San Fernando during Monday’s flag ceremony at the City Hall. It was received by barangay officials of Pulung Bulu headed by Captain Ernesto Carreon, Jr.
Mayor Edwin “EdSa” Santiago, Vice Mayor Jimmy Lazatin, City police chief, Lieutenant Colonel Paul Inigo Gamido, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Officer Marites Quillope, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Pampanga Deputy IA III Albert Bohol, City Health Officer Dr. Eloisa Aquino and City Social Welfare and Development Officer Aileen Villanueva led the awarding ceremony.
In his speech, Santiago commended the efforts of the barangay, through its Anti-Drug Abuse Council, for having satisfactorily complied with the parameters of a drug-cleared barangay in accordance with the Dangerous Drugs Board Regulation.
To attain a “drug-cleared” status, a committee must convene and validate the non-availability of drug supply in the area and absence of drug transit activity/transshipment activity; clandestine drug laboratory, drug warehouse and chemical warehouse; marijuana cultivation site, drug den, drive or resort; and drug pusher, user and protector.
They must also ensure the active involvement of barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials in anti-drug campaigns and activities. And lastly, guarantee the existence of drug awareness programs and drug treatment and rehabilitation processing desk in the community.
“Natutuwa ako sa pakikiisa ng Barangay Pulung Bulu sa ating malawakang kampanya kontra sa iligal na droga. Umaasa ako na mahikayat din nila ang iba pang mga barangay officials upang mas dumami pa ang drug-cleared barangays sa syudad at kinalaunan ay magiging drug-free na din ang buong San Fernando,” Mayor EdSa furthered.
For his part, Barangay Captain Carreon expressed his gratitude to the city government and other agencies who have tirelessly helped them in effectively implementing the drug clearing program.
“Talagang nagbahay-bahay kami para kausapin yung mga involved. Mahirap sa umpisa pero di nagtagal ay sumunod naman sila. Sa pamamagitan ng programang ito ay natulungan natin yung mga ka-barangay natin na naligaw ng landas. Maging ang kanilang mga pamilya ay natutuwa dahil sa pagbabago ng kanilang mga mahal sa buhay,” he said.
Barangays Pandaras and Lara were the first two barangays in the city to be declared drug-cleared.
