Iloilo province down to one drug-affected barangay

By Mariela Angella Oladive

Only one barangay in Iloilo province remains not drug-cleared out of 1,721 barangays, according to the latest Barangay Drug Clearing Program data presented during a media briefing Thursday, Jan. 8.

The data, provided by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, showed that 1,720 barangays were declared drug-cleared as of Dec. 16, 2025.

Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. said the milestone reflects sustained coordination among the provincial government, police, and drug enforcement agencies.

He said the lone barangay still undergoing validation is Barangay Bulaqueña in Estancia.

Despite the near-complete drug-clearing status, Defensor said the provincial government will not ease its anti-drug campaign.

“In practical terms, our achievements are good together with the police and drug agencies, but there are still drugs coming in,” he said.

He said the supply entering the province is not organized and does not indicate the presence of illegal drug laboratories in Iloilo.

Defensor said recent regional and provincial peace and order council meetings focused on strengthening border controls, particularly at ports of entry.

“Our plan is to plug the holes,” he said.

“We are planning to put up small operation centers in all ports so we can monitor people coming in and validate intelligence information from outside Iloilo,” he added.

Defensor said the planned measures will mirror protocols used during the COVID-19 pandemic and the African swine fever outbreak.

He said the strategy will combine intelligence operations, K9 units, and closer monitoring of passengers.

“I have standing directives for the PNP to tell me what we still need to add, especially for our K9 units,” he said.

“We will also work closely with barangays and neighboring provinces,” he added.

Defensor also expressed concern over the recent arrest of a barangay chairman in Janiuay, Iloilo.

Police said the barangay official, identified by the alias Junjun, 51, was arrested in an operation that yielded about 410 grams of suspected shabu and 8.2 grams of dried marijuana leaves valued at PHP 2.78 million.

The suspect is facing charges under Sections 5 and 11 of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, according to Police Regional Office 6.

Defensor said it was unfortunate that a barangay official was involved in illegal drugs.

“It is alarming, but they should know that charges are aggravated if you are a barangay official,” he said.

“They have a higher penalty,” he added.

The provincial government is expected to proceed with capacity-building activities and the formal establishment of port operation centers once the necessary resolutions are approved.

Provincial Administrator Raul Banias said the province will provide direct assistance to Barangay Bulaqueña.

Banias said provincial officials are scheduled to visit the barangay next week to help strengthen local anti-drug mechanisms.

He said the support will include activating the Municipal or City Anti-Drug Abuse Council.

Banias identified a National Housing Authority housing project in the barangay as a key area of concern.

He said the large number of housing units and the presence of unregistered occupants have complicated local anti-drug monitoring efforts.