MANILA -- As part of President Rodrigo Duterte administration’s campaign to holistically address the drug problem, the government, led by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), will build shelters with a promise of renewed life, for drug surrenderers across the country.
PDEA Director General Aaron N. Aquino introduced the “Balay Silangan” — the national drug reformation program that offers temporary refuge aimed at reforming drug offenders into self-sufficient and law-abiding members of society.
A National Oversight Committee chaired by PDEA shall be formed to oversee the implementation of “Balay Silangan” whose members include the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Technical Education and Skills Development Administration (TESDA), Parole and Probation Administration (PPA), Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of National Defense (DND), Philippine National Police (PNP), and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
The Balay Silangan Program National Oversight Committee convened their first meeting at the PDEA headquarters in Quezon City on Feb. 22.
Aquino cited Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) Regulation Number 2, Series of 2018 which laid the groundwork of “Balay Silangan”. The regulation was approved and adopted on January 24, 2018.
General interventions, like continuing education and health awareness, and psychological/spiritual/physical activities such as counseling, moral recovery, values formation, personal and life skills, among others, are provided under the program.
Livelihood and skills training programs which include soap making, massage training, basic carpentry, welding, haircutting, etc., are likewise provided to give drug reformers employment opportunities.
Aquino said there are specific conditions for eligibility to the program that must be met by surrendering drug personalities.
“They must not belong to the PDEA/PNP target list, wanted list and watch list, or has any other pending criminal case/s. Those who availed of the plea bargaining agreement and/or convicted under Section 15, Article II of RA 9165 that are required to undergo rehabilitation and those who served jail terms for violation of the anti-drug law,” Aquino added.
“Balay Silangan is built to rebuild lives. The government can never give up on surrendering drug dependents and pushers,” he said. “Hope is all they need to overcome their former selves and start over again. We will give our assurance that hope will be realized if they show the sincerity and commitment to change.”
To ensure that people undergoing the program will remain until its completion, all drug reformation facilities must be located in either PNP or AFP camps/bases and will be manned accordingly.
On the other hand, a Regional Oversight Committee shall serve as counterpart at the regional level to ensure the establishment, operation and sustainability of “Balay Silangan” programs in the provinces and municipalities. (PNA)
