To give second chance to drug surrenderees, the Provincial Government of North Cotabato in partnership with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) is planning to build two additional balay silangan units for the1st and 3rd district of the province.
During the joint Provincial Anti-Drug Advisory Council (PADAC), Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC), and Provincial Development Council (PDC) meeting held today at Provincial Capitol Rooftop, Amas, Kidapawan City, PDEA 12 Regional Director Naravy Duquaitan reiterated that balay silangan will serve as temporary shelter for drug offenders with the objective of reforming them into self-sufficient and law abiding citizens in the society.
She added, that as of now there’s only two balay silangan in Region XII which are located in Villareal Resort, Barangay Nagpan, Malungon, Saranggani and New Corella, Barangay Poblacion, Makilala Cotabato.
Meanwhile, Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) Acting Head Dr. Joel Nelton Sungcad also presented during the joint meeting the Community Based Drug Rehabilitation Program (CBDRP) of the provincial government through IPHO which is designed to accommodate persons who used drugs (PWUDS) with mild and moderate category of addiction in the out-patient rehabilitation.
Aside from CBDRP, the IPHO is also conducting advocacy campaigns such as: Mental Health Advocacy on Anti-Drug-Abuse, Prevention of Suicide and Depression, Provision of Drug Testing Kits to CBDRP, and Support to Sessions of CBDRP.
In her response, North Cotabato Governor Nancy A. Catamco supported the different programs and campaigns of different agencies against illegal drugs by approving the proposal of the PADAC to build additional balay silangan in the province “My administration fully supports the national campaign against the proliferation of illegal drugs to protect our most valuable resources in the province, our people. I believe that the problem in illegal drugs is a great detriment to my administration’s clear vision and plan for sustainable development of Cotabato Province,” the governor said.//ras//
