Manila, Sept. 10 -- All 80 barangays (villages) in this city have been declared "drug-cleared," reflecting sustained community participation and coordination among local authorities and law enforcement agencies.

This came after the Regional Oversight Committee on Barangay Drug Clearing's official Sept. 9 declaration that 18 more barangays in Laoag were rid of illegal drugs.

The 18 newly declared drug-free barangays are: 01 San Lorenzo, 05 San Pedro, 07-B Nuestra Senora de Natividad, 10 San Jose, 12 San Isidro, 14 Santo Tomas, 17 San Francisco, 19 Santa Marcela, 20 San Miguel, 21 San Pedro, 23 San Matias, 46 Nalbo, 47 Bengcag, 48-B Cabungaan South, 54-B Camangaan, 59-A Dibua South, 59-B Dibua North, and 60-A Caaoacan.

"This achievement ...