‘ Marijuana at ₱6,000-₱7,000/kg in Kalinga; Tinglayan remains major source despite eradication drive’ -PDEA

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — Marijuana plantation sites in Tinglayan remain a major source of marijuana in Kalinga, according to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Kalinga, adding that the price of marijuana has been monitored at ₱6,000 to ₱7,000 per kilogram in the province as of September 2026.

The agency also monitors marijuana oil at ₱2,500 to ₱3,000 per 60-milliliter bottle, while no price is indicated during their presentation for marijuana sold by the gram or for individual plants.

The data were presented by PDEA-Kalinga Provincial Officer IA V Allan Lloyd B. Leaño during the Third Quarter Joint Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) meeting held on September 30, 2026 in Tabuk City, Kalinga.

The meeting was attended by the representative of Governor James S. Edduba, DILG Provincial Director Max Mayor Adong, Vice Governor Dave Q. Odiem, and officials from the Philippine Army, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), PDEA, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Philippine National Police (PNP), and municipal and city local government units.

According to the PDEA presentation, marijuana plantation sites are present in Tinglayan, while the agency also recorded the direct purchase of marijuana products from planters. Some marijuana traders reportedly pose as local tourists, while illegal drugs are transported through buses, vans, jeepneys and carpools, as well as through “dead drop” arrangements.

PDEA's assessment said marijuana cultivation is likely to continue despite numerous eradication operations, citing its roots in traditional practices among some locals and socio-economic considerations because of the high financial return.

Three eradication operations

From July to September 2026, PDEA-Kalinga conducted three marijuana eradication operations, resulting in the destruction of 116,400 marijuana plants with an estimated value of ₱23.28 million.

The operations were part of the agency's supply-reduction campaign, including joint marijuana eradication operations with the Kalinga Police Provincial Office.

The figure formed part of PDEA-Kalinga's total anti-illegal drug accomplishments for the quarter. Its separate buy-bust operation resulted in the arrest of three suspects and seizure of 10.6221 grams of shabu valued at ₱72,502.28. The combined value of the drugs and marijuana plants involved in the four operations reached ₱23,352,502.28.

Despite the continuing eradication campaign, PDEA said the proliferation of illegal drugs continues to resurge in the province and is beginning to spread to barangays previously declared drug-cleared.

PDEA also reported that social media has become a predominant venue for selling illegal drugs, adding another challenge to efforts to prevent the distribution of marijuana and other prohibited substances.

₱228-million marijuana eradication in Tinglayan

One of the biggest recent marijuana operations in Kalinga this year was conducted in May 2026, when authorities destroyed marijuana plantations in Mt. Chumanchil, Barangay Loccong, Tinglayan, covering about 9.5 hectares.

The two-day operation under Oplan Revisit Everest resulted in the eradication of marijuana plants with an estimated Standard Drug Price of ₱228 million. The Dangerous Drugs Board described the operation as a major accomplishment in the continuing campaign against illegal marijuana cultivation in Kalinga.