REHAB CENTER. Officials of the municipality of Manaoag and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency - Ilocos Region lead the inauguration of the Balay Silangan reformation center at Barangay Pugaro in Manaoag, Pangasinan on Wednesday (April 19, 2023). The facility will cater to the first batch of 20 drug surrenderers this month. (Photo by Hilda Austria)
MANAOAG, Pangasinan – The ninth Balay Silangan Reformation Center in this province was inaugurated here on Wednesday intended for drug peddlers voluntarily surrendering to authorities and availing of plea bargain agreement.
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Ilocos Regional Director Joel Plaza, in his speech during the inauguration, said surrenderers will undergo a three-month reformation program that includes a month-long mandatory stay at the center to take part in education, health, psychosocial, and physical activities.
The remaining two months will be spent on the livelihood or employment education phase of the program.
“These programs put a heart with it, thus, giving the drug personalities a chance to change their ways through the process to be undergone in the Balay Silangan facility,” he said, adding that the Balay Silangan is part of the Barangay Drug-Clearing Program.
Manaoag Mayor Jeremy Agerico Rosario, in an interview, said the first batch of 20 surrenderers would be housed at the Balay Silangan starting in the fourth week of April.
“They will have daily reflection, journaling, and reading the Word of God with the guidance of pastors (spiritual leaders) who are very willing to help on a daily basis. For capacity development, there will be lectures with the Philippine National Police and other national government agencies. They will be taught how to be an effective member of the community,” he said.
He added that the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority would also be giving first aid and livelihood skills training.
“They may take up courses such as massage therapy, housekeeping, candle-making, bio-intensive gardening, or business management among others,” Rosario said, even as he assured the public that the local government unit has sufficient funds for the center.
Rosario said they are also working hard to clear the remaining 23 of 26 drug-affected barangays in their locality.
Balay Silangan is a requirement for every local government unit in the country to attain a drug-cleared status.
The other Balay Silangan facilities are in San Carlos City and the towns of Sison, Basista, Asingan, Umingan, San Fabian, Burgos, and Balungao. (PNA)
