Barangays San Juan and Cambanac in Baclayon have been eyed to be the first villages which will be declared drug-free in the town, said a police official.

According to Senior Insp. Jesus Daplin, Baclayon police chief, members of the Cambanac Barangay Anti- Drug Abuse Council convened on Saturday to assess the village’s drug situation.

Daplin who also attended the meeting noted that since the government’s intensified drive against drugs was launched in July last year, the Baclayon police had not conducted anti-drug operations in the area.

He said that 30 residents in the village were included in the town’s drug watchlist but they all surrendered under Oplan Tokhang.

The drug surrenderees have all been provided with livelihood to prevent them from conducting illegal drug activities again, added Daplin.

Barangay Cambanac has a population of 463 people and 96 households which have been showing support in efforts to have their village declared drug-free, said authorities. (Weli Maestrado)