Malacañang is optimistic that a drug-free Philippines is still possible before the end of President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s term in fulfillment of his campaign promise.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque disclosed that 20,538 out of 42,045 barangays nationwide have been declared as drug-free. He asserted that the number will increase once the local government units (LGUs) will further strengthen their response against illegal drugs.
“Kampante pa rin po tayo kung makikipagtulungan po talaga ang lokal na pamahalaan, na iyong natitirang 14,308 barangays ay magiging drug free na rin pagdating po ng pagtapos ng termino ng ating Presidente. (We are confident that if the LGUs will cooperate, the 14,308 remaining barangays will be declared drug free before the President ends his term).”
The former maverick Davao City mayor who swept the 2016 presidential elections promised to rid the country of crime and illegal drugs in three to six months but later admitted in September of that same year that he needed more time considering the extent of the problem. – Report from Mela Lesmoras
