By Chito Chavez
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) launched Wednesday a community-based reformation program that aims to rehabilitate surrendered drug personalities in the country.
PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino said the program known as “Balay Silangan” builds temporary shelters for drug offenders with the objective of reforming them into self-sufficient and law-abiding members of society.
PDEA Director Aaron Aquino speaks during a press conference at the PDEA headquarters in Quezon City, April 25, 2018. (Mark Balmores / MANILA BULLETIN)
“The program is reformatory in nature. It is an alternative intervention for drug personalities who are not users and are not eligible to undergo medical treatment and rehabilitation in facilities supervised by the Department of Health (DOH),” said Aquino.
The Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) Regulation Number 2, Series of 2018 which was approved and adopted on January 24, 2018, laid the groundwork for “Balay Silangan”.
Aquino spearheaded the program launch, along with PDEA key officers and members of the Balay Silangan Program National Oversight Committee Wednesday at the PDEA National Headquarters in Quezon City.
Among the highlights of the program launch were the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Manifesto of Commitment of members of the Balay Silangan National Oversight Committee and unveiling of four pilot sites for the implementation of the program namely: General Santos City on May 22, 2018; Cabanatuan City on May 24, 2018; the province of Capiz on May 26, 2018; and Caloocan City on May 30, 2018.
“The Balay Silangan reformation program takes on a home-centered approach that would convince drug offenders to give themselves a second chance in life. The rising sun in the East signals the start of a new day. This runs parallel to the program, heralding a fresh start for drug reformers,” Aquino said, citing how the program got its name.
He added that 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 reformers employment opportunities.
Aquino said that there are specific conditions for eligibility to the program that must be met by surrendering drug personalities.
PDEA Director Aaron Aquino speaks during a press conference at the PDEA headquarters in Quezon City, April 25, 2018. (Mark Balmores / MANILA BULLETIN)
“The program is reformatory in nature. It is an alternative intervention for drug personalities who are not users and are not eligible to undergo medical treatment and rehabilitation in facilities supervised by the Department of Health (DOH),” said Aquino.
The Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) Regulation Number 2, Series of 2018 which was approved and adopted on January 24, 2018, laid the groundwork for “Balay Silangan”.
Aquino spearheaded the program launch, along with PDEA key officers and members of the Balay Silangan Program National Oversight Committee Wednesday at the PDEA National Headquarters in Quezon City.
Among the highlights of the program launch were the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Manifesto of Commitment of members of the Balay Silangan National Oversight Committee and unveiling of four pilot sites for the implementation of the program namely: General Santos City on May 22, 2018; Cabanatuan City on May 24, 2018; the province of Capiz on May 26, 2018; and Caloocan City on May 30, 2018.
“The Balay Silangan reformation program takes on a home-centered approach that would convince drug offenders to give themselves a second chance in life. The rising sun in the East signals the start of a new day. This runs parallel to the program, heralding a fresh start for drug reformers,” Aquino said, citing how the program got its name.
He added that 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 reformers employment opportunities.
Aquino said that there are specific conditions for eligibility to the program that must be met by surrendering drug personalities.