Mayor admits: Illegal drugs in the city is a big problem
City Mayor Jerry Treñas admits that the proliferation of illegal drugs is one “big problem" the city is currently facing.
He, however, did not make a categorical statement on the level or extent of illegal drugs problem in the city as he has yet to meet with the officials of the Philippine Drugs Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Police Regional Office (PRO) 6.
Initially, Treñas was briefed on some barangays where illegal drugs particularly metamphetamine hydro chloride or shabu persist.
Previous data provided by the Iloilo City Police Office showed that out of the 180 barangays in the city 15 are considered to have serious problems on illegal drugs. No further report was made on whether how many barangays are already cleared.
Based on the prevailing data, of the 45 barangays in the city proper, five are listed as seriously affected barangays, these are: Zamora, Veterans Village, and Sto. Rosario, Tanza Esperanza and Malipayon.
In Lapaz district, only Barangay Rizal is seriously affected with illegal drugs. Jaro district has two barangays, namely Bito-on and Simon Ledesma. Molo district has three barangays with serious problems on illegal drugs. They are Barangays North San Jose, Calumpang and Boulevard.
While, in Mandurriao district only Barangay Bakhaw is considered in the priority list of the police in their war against illegal drugs. Police said the supply of shabu in the city mostly come from Barangay Bakhaw. Series of drug operations had been made in the area but the problem still exist.
On the other hand, Arevalo district has three barangays considered as seriously affected with illegal drugs. They are Barangays Yulo, Sta. Filomena and Sto. Niño Sur.
Treñas said he is initiating effort to revitalize the Iloilo City Anti-Drugs Abuse Council (Icadac). The Icadac is headed by the mayor and vice mayor as the co-chairman. The other members of the council are the Iloilo City Police Office director, heads of different schools and private sectors.
Treñas also said they are looking for an executive director to lay out plans to combat the illegal drug problems in the city that particularly affects the youth. The problems on illegal drugs needs a concerted effort from the government and the community.
The activation of the Icadac will also lead to the creation of new Barangay Anti-Drugs Abuse Council (Badac) in the different barangays. There are new elected barangay captains in the city. The Icadac and Badac slept for awhile. Under the Local Government Code of 1991, barangay officials are obliged to enforce all laws and ordinances which are applicable within the barangay and maintain public order in their community.