The anti-drug campaign of the Navotas City government has now gained headway following the declaration of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) that one of its barangays is now drug-free.

The drug enforcement agency had declared Barangay Navotas East is already drug free, which was certified by the PDEA through PDEA-northern district Officer Freddie Banagao.

The certification was received by Navotas City Mayor John Rey Tiangco, together with Chairman Dennis Tan Juan.

“The fight against illegal drugs is a fight for safe communities. Keeping Navotas safe from the drug menace will help ensure the welfare of our families and the future of our children,” Tiangco told reporters in an interview.

Tiangco also noted that the city’s anti-drug campaign will not be effective if not for the resident’s support, noting that they receive reports of illegal activities through their city government’s hotline numbers.

The mayor also mentioned the city has a community-based treatment and rehabilitation program called ‘Bidahan’ for drug users willing to change their ways, where participants undergo a three-day retreat where they learn about the adverse effects of drugs.

Aside from the citation, the city government of Navotas also received the highest audit rating for the third time from the Commission on Audit (CoA). The audit agency gave Navotas “unqualified opinion” ratings from 2016 up to the present.

“We are truly pleased and honored to receive another unqualified opinion from CoA. It validates our efforts to ensure that the city’s financial transactions are honest and transparent,” Tiangco said.

“And it is proper to share such recognition with my City Hall family – the department heads and employees – for their cooperation and dedication as public servants over the years,” he said.