Treñas-Chu aims for 100% drug-cleared Iloilo City by 2026

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

Iloilo City is intensifying its anti-drug campaign, aiming to achieve drug clearance in all 180 barangays in 2026 as authorities consolidate operations in areas still affected by illegal drugs.

“This 2026, our target is to have all barangays in the city drug-cleared. We want to show that in Iloilo City, we do not allow the proliferation of drugs,” Mayor Raisa Treñas-Chu said on Monday.

Treñas-Chu said 17 barangays were declared drug-cleared in 2025, crediting the milestone to sustained support from the Iloilo City Police Office in the city’s campaign against illegal drugs.

Police data show that 113 of the city’s 180 barangays have already been declared drug-cleared, leaving 67 barangays still affected by illegal drugs.

A drug-cleared barangay is one that previously had drug users, pushers, or related activities but has since complied with government parameters following validation and verification by authorities.

These requirements include proof that the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council is active and that all identified drug personalities are properly accounted for.

Among police stations, Station 1 and Station 5 posted the highest percentage of drug-cleared barangays at 81.81%.

Station 1 has cleared 18 of its 22 barangays, while Station 5 has cleared 9 of its 11 barangays.

Station 3 ranked lowest at 38.46%, with only five of its 13 barangays declared drug-cleared.

Department of the Interior and Local Government-6 Director Juan Jovian Ingeniero said in October last year that Iloilo City lagged behind at 53.89% in drug-cleared barangays.

Ingeniero said the city’s status as a highly urbanized area makes it more vulnerable to illegal drug activity.

He added that the city government and the police are consolidating efforts to strengthen anti-drug operations in urban barangays still grappling with drug-related problems.

Ingeniero also said 22 barangays are currently under assessment for possible inclusion in the drug-cleared list.