Manila, March 21 -- The Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) Regional Oversight Committee (ROC) has cleared and declared a total of 72 villages in Bicol as "drug-free", the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in the region said on Thursday.
Christian Frivaldo, PDEA acting regional director, said the ROC of the Barangay Drug Clearing Operation (BDCO), issued the declaration after completing a strict validation and clearing process.
Declared as "drug-free" are 22 villages in Albay, followed by Camarines Norte with 20; Masbate - 12; Sorsogon - 11 and Catanduanes with seven.
Camarines Sur province has no drug free village yet.
Frivaldo said the villages had to "comply with the parameters set by the DDB before they would be declared cleared of ...