CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — About 1,600 barangays in Northern Mindanao have attained
drug-cleared status, accounting for 79% of all barangays in the region, as government agencies
strengthen community education, drug prevention, and rehabilitation services.

Seven additional barangays were declared drug-cleared in the third quarter of 2026, according to
the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD) Advocacy Cluster, which presented
its accomplishments during its third-quarter meeting.
The cluster reported initiatives covering drug prevention education, public information, mental
health services, and community-based rehabilitation, aimed at helping communities prevent
illegal drug use and sustain drug-cleared status.
Rezza Mae T. Docallos, a local government operations officer representing the Department of the
Interior and Local Government in Northern Mindanao (DILG-10), said the cluster continued
coordinating with partner agencies to raise public awareness and strengthen community
participation in the anti-drug campaign.
As part of these efforts, DILG-10 and the Philippine Information Agency in Northern Mindanao
(PIA-10) organized a radio broadcast on Sept. 2 featuring the Philippine Drug Enforcement
Agency in Northern Mindanao (PDEA-10). The program explained the requirements and process
for barangays to attain drug-cleared status, as well as interventions when drug-related activities
recur in communities.
Meanwhile, the Police Regional Office 10 reported conducting 7,563 drug awareness lectures in
833 schools, nearly 3,000 workplaces, and almost 4,000 barangays. It also distributed
information and educational materials and joined television and radio interviews to expand
public awareness.
The Department of Education (DepEd-10) continued drug prevention activities involving
learners, parents, and other community stakeholders. It also issued Regional Memorandum No.
556, series of 2026, to collect and consolidate locally developed materials for the National Drug
Education Program from its divisions.
The Department of Health DOH-10) reported efforts to strengthen mental health and drug
rehabilitation services through psychological first aid training, community-based drug
rehabilitation, and training for physicians seeking accreditation as drug rehabilitation
practitioners.

The National Youth Commission and the Department of Social Welfare and Development also
reported initiatives supporting youth participation, recovery, and reintegration, including pilot
after-care sessions for people recovering from drug use.
Docallos said DILG-10 also participated in regional oversight committee discussions, national
training activities, and focus group discussions on community-based drug rehabilitation.
PDEA-10 Assistant Regional Director Mary Leslie Sharon D. Maquilang stressed the importance
of coordination and information sharing among agencies.
She urged participating agencies to translate their discussions into concrete actions, stronger
partnerships, and measurable results to help protect communities.
“Together, let us remain united, accountable, and steadfast in our effort to build a safer, healthier,
and drug-free Region 10,” she said.
According to PDEA, the ICAD Advocacy Cluster’s efforts form part of the region’s anti-drug
campaign, which combines public education and prevention with enforcement, rehabilitation,
and community support. (SAYU/PIA-10)