WESTERN VISAYAS, PHILIPPINES- The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Region 6 has announced that 1,959 out of 3,389 barangays in Western Visayas, or 96.37%, have been declared drug-cleared based on the latest data up until June 30, 2025.
Overall, 3,270 barangays in Region 6 are now confirmed to be drug-cleared, including all barangays in Aklan, Antique, and Guimaras. The province of Iloilo has a drug-cleared rate of 99.59%, with only seven barangays yet to be cleared. Capiz has a 93.45% clearance rate, with 31 barangays still awaiting clearance. In the city of Iloilo, however, only 52.78% of barangays have been cleared, with 85 out of 180 remaining unverified.
In an interview with Bombo Radyo, PDEA 6 spokesperson Ma. Graziella Tanaleon shared that four additional barangays have been declared drug-cleared: Brgy. Timpas in Panit-an, Capiz; Brgy. Bayuyan in Estancia, Iloilo; and two barangays in Iloilo City—Brgy. Yulo Drive, Arevalo and Brgy. Katilingban, Molo.
It’s important to note that the data from 2024 and 2025 cannot be directly compared due to changes in the region’s boundaries. In 2024, PDEA-6’s report included barangays from Negros Occidental and Bacolod City, which were previously part of Western Visayas but are now part of the Negros Island Region (NIR) following an administrative restructuring. As a result, the total number of barangays in Region 6 has decreased from 4,051 in 2024 to 3,389 this year.
According to Tanaleon, for a barangay to be considered drug-cleared, it must meet the criteria set by the Dangerous Drugs Board. This includes the absence of illegal drugs, drug pushers, users, suppliers, financiers, manufacturers, or marijuana cultivation in the area. The barangays must also pass assessments by the Department of Health (DOH), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the Philippine National Police (PNP), who are part of the oversight committee in the clearing process.
Tanaleon also emphasized that a drug-cleared status is not permanent. The cleanliness of the barangay must be sustained, and if validated reports confirm the presence of illegal drugs again, the drug-cleared status could be revoked.
PDEA-6 affirmed that it continues its efforts, in collaboration with other government agencies, to rid the region of illegal drug influence.
Interviewed by Bombo Jessa Mae De Los Santos
