Capiz drug fight needs more reform centers

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — The lack of Balay Silangan Reformation Centers is one of the reasons the illegal drug problem in Capiz persists, according to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

Jury Racamora, PDEA-Capiz provincial director, made the assessment during a press conference Thursday morning, June 25, at the Philippine Information Agency office here.

He said that of the province’s 16 municipalities, only Roxas City and the towns of Panay and Dumalag have no Balay Silangan Reformation Centers.

Balay Silangan is a national drug reformation program that provides temporary refuge and intervention for drug offenders to help them become self-sufficient and law-abiding members of society.

The Dangerous Drugs Board issued the program’s guidelines under Board Regulation No. 2, series of 2018, which was approved on Jan. 24, 2018.

Of the 473 barangays in Capiz, 443 have been declared drug-cleared, while 97 were declared drug-free.

The remaining 30 barangays that have yet to be cleared are Bahit, Poblacion Ilaya, and Poblacion Ilawod in Pontevedra, and 27 barangays in Roxas City.

The 27 Roxas City barangays are Banica, Baybay, Bolo, Cagay, Culajao, Culasi, Dayao, Dinginan, Dumolog, Inzo Arnaldo, Lanot, Lawa-an, Libas, Loctugan, Lonoy, Milibili, Mongpong, Barangay 1, Barangay 4, Barangay 7, Barangay 8, Barangay 9, Punta Tabuc, San Jose, Tanque, Tanza, and Tiza.

Racamora said most drug pushers and users were hired killers and high-value individuals.

Capiz ranked third in Western Visayas in the implementation of PDEA anti-illegal drug operations from Jan. 1 to June 25, 2026.

Racamora said Capiz conducted 43 anti-illegal drug operations during the period, next to Iloilo, which recorded 560 operations.

PDEA-Capiz accounted for 75 people during the same period, including 35 arrested and 40 rescued.

The agency also filed cases against 46 people in court, placing Capiz second in the region.

PDEA-Capiz recovered 1,023 grams of marijuana and 106.7005 grams of suspected shabu, with an estimated total standard drug price of PHP 724,951.

Racamora said PDEA-Capiz continues to coordinate with local government units and law enforcement agencies to strengthen the anti-illegal drug campaign in the province.

Also present were Capiz Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council focal person retired Col. Primo Golingay, Roxas City Anti-Drug Abuse Council focal person Dr. Faye Besana, Provincial Health Office representative Ma. Cristina Senosa, and Roxas City Police Drug Clearing and Community-Based Rehabilitation Program focal person MSgt. Roldan Diama.