NATION

Lucena nears full drug-cleared status

Josephine D. Escovidal · Oct 2, 2026, 5:46 PM

DRUG-CLEARING UPDATE. PDEA 4A Regional Public Information Officer Mary Ann Mahilom-Lorenzo discusses the agency’s programs during the Kapihan sa PIA in Lucena City. PDEA 4A later clarified that 32 barangays in the city have officially been declared drug-cleared, with one remaining barangay preparing its formal application. Photo courtesy of Celine M. Tutor/Pacific Mall Lucena.

LUCENA CITY — Thirty-two of Lucena City’s barangays have officially been declared drug-cleared, with only one remaining barangay still preparing its formal application for the same status, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Region 4A said.

PDEA 4A issued the clarification after an earlier figure mentioned during the Kapihan sa PIA-Quezon program was presented as a rough estimate and did not reflect the final, verified official count.

PDEA 4A Regional Public Information Officer Mary Ann Mahilom-Lorenzo earlier discussed the agency’s operational accomplishments, the Balay Silangan Reformation Program and the Drug-Free Workplace program during the Kapihan sa PIA.

The agency later clarified that 32 barangays in Lucena City have already been officially declared drug-cleared, while one remaining barangay is currently undergoing preparations for its formal application.

PDEA 4A said it remains committed to a transparent, accurate and complete validation process under the Barangay Drug Clearing Program.

The agency said it will issue another update once the remaining barangay completes the process and receives its official declaration.