ILOILO CITY—Silay City has made history as the first city in the Negros Island Region to be officially declared drug-cleared by the Regional Oversight Committee on Barangay Drug Clearing.

The declaration was conferred in a ceremony led by Silay City Mayor Joedith Gallego, PDEA–NIR Director Melvin Estoque, Silay City Police Chief Mark Darroca, and various community stakeholders.

Representatives from the Department of Health, Philippine National Police, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, and Department of the Interior and Local Government confirmed that Silay City successfully met all national parameters required for drug-cleared status.

Officials credited the city’s achievement to its strengthened community-based rehabilitation programs, consistent law enforcement operations, barangay-level anti-drug initiatives, and strong, sustained participation from local stakeholders.