Municipality's 77 barangays declared as drug-cleared

The Declaration of a Drug-Cleared Municipality at the Balon Bayambang Events Center on March 9, 2018 marked the success of the Quiambao-Sabangan administration in the war against illegal drugs in Bayambang.

Mayor Cezar T. Quiambao proudly said that, “Despite the drug problem in Bayambang, nakita natin na may patutunguhan ang lahat ng paghihirap ng ating mga kapulisan at lahat ng tumulong upang marating natin ang araw na ito: ang mga departamento ng LGU gaya ng RHU I and II at DSWD at mga ahensya ng gobyerno tulad ng DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government), PDEA, TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority), at pati na rin mga indibidwal mula sa pribadong sektor lalo na ng NGO na Kasama Kita sa Barangay (Foundation, Inc.).”

In behalf of Vice-Mayor Raul R. Sabangan, Councilor Amory Junio read the Sangguniang Bayan Resolution which declares that all 77 barangays in the municipality are now cleared from drugs. All barangays were awarded with certificates after Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Region 1 Director Bryan B. Babang officially made the declaration. According to Northern Luzon Assistant Secretary of Health Dr. Myrna Cabotaje, Bayambang “has the most number of drug-cleared barangays as far as Region 1 is concerned.”

KKSBFI Managing Director Levin N. Uy presented the accomplishments of the administration and said, “We are proud to say that we are victorious against drugs without bloodshed.” However, Police Regional Office 1 Director PCSupt Romulo E. Sapitula reminded everyone that the challenge of maintaining this status remains.

Guest of honor and speaker DILG Regional Office 1 Director James F. Fadrilan cited this declaration as one among the many achievements of Bayambang, including being a Seal of Good Local Governance recipient and holding the Guinness World Record’s Longest Barbecue Grill title. Fadrilan, who was introduced by Municipal Local Government Operations Officer Romarie P. Soriano, applauded Mayor Quiambao for including a drug rehabilitation center in the local government’s programs for the municipality and thanked him for setting the bar high on what a local chief executive should be.