PDEA PRESENTATION. The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) presents the implementation of Barangay Silangan status to Ilocos Norte during the Provincial Peace and Order Council meeting held at the Capitol auditorium on Wednesday (Dec. 4, 2019). Of the 21 towns and two cities of the province, three municipalities will establish Bahay Silangan facilities for drug offenders. (Photo by Leilanie G. Adriano)
LAOAG CITY -- The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has reported that at least three municipalities in the province would soon house drug reformists in Ilocos Norte.
In Dingras town, the construction of its Bahay Silangan is 80 percent complete and is ready to be inaugurated within the month, Dheo A. Tabor, provincial officer of PDEA, said on Wednesday. It will be manned by a social worker and a house parent.
The municipalities of Piddig and Vintar, through their local chief executives, have also pledged support for the Bahay Silangan program as a drug reformation center.
“Piddig and Vintar are ready to adopt the program and they are just waiting for their buildings to be inspected if they fit national standards,” Tabor said.
He said that to be declared as a drug-cleared municipality or city by the PDEA, the agency requires the establishment of a Bahay Silangan to facilitate the reformation of drug offenders.
To date, PDEA has reported 175 plea bargain cases in the province that need to be addressed by the concerned local government unit, and the municipal or provincial anti-drug abuse council.
“plea-bargained individuals, as per court order, need to be enrolled in a rehabilitation and/or reformation center, like the Balay Silangan facility,” Tabor said, explaining that the individuals are “counted as active drug personalities until their sentence is served.”
In Ilocos Norte, at least nine municipalities have been cleared of prohibited drugs, pending revalidation by PDEA -- Adams, Burgos, Carasi, Currimao, Dumalneg, Banna, Marcos, Vintar, and Bacarra. (PNA)
