Facilities eyed for drug surrenderers

CEBU, Philippines — Two more reformation centers for drug surrenderers are being eyed for Cebu’s first and third districts, according to the Cebu Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Office (CPADAO).

CPADAO Head Carmen Remedios “Ivy” Durano-Meca said the proposed areas are Naga City in the first district and Tuburan town in the third district.

She said one center has to be set up in each of the seven districts to accommodate drug surrenderers from the 51 towns and component cities.

The center dubbed “Bahay Silangan” is anchored on the national drug reformation program offering temporary refuge for drug offenders. It targets to reform them into “self-sufficient and law-abiding” citizens.

Also, the center offers livelihood training, after-care, and community or social re-integration programs.

The first local government unit in Cebu to implement the program was Danao City in the fifth district. The center though is yet to be finished.

Meca said the government is working hand in hand with the private sectors and the non-government organizations to assist other districts in establishing the Bahay Silangan. — KBQ (FREEMAN)