The San Juan City local government together with other drug enforcement agencies in the country signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the creation of San Juan's drug reformation center which aims to give new hope to the city's persons who use drugs (PWUDs).

(Photo from San Juan LGU)

San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora led the signing together with officials of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), PhIlippine National Police-San Juan (PNP-San Juan), Department of Education-San Juan (DepEd-San Juan), and Parole and Probation Office-San Juan.

"Itong kasunduan po ay kung saan mayroon tayong kanya-kanyang responsibilidad upang siguraduhing ang ating mga PWUDs or persons who use drugs na papasok sa ating Balay Silangan ay mabibigyan ng tamang edukasyon, mabibigyan ng tamang pagkakataon magkaroon ng maayos na pamumuhay, at maibalik muli ng maayos sa ating lipunan (This agreement states that each of us have our own responsibilities that will ensure that the PWUDs or persons who use drugs who will enter Balay Silangan will be given the right education, another chance to have a good life, and be integrated properly again into our society)," Zamora said.

In March, Zamora led the blessing of Balay Silangan which is the first drug rehabilitation facility in the city.

The new reformation center was once the city’s Covid-19 facility constructed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). The 1st floor of the container van facility will remain as a Covid-19 facility while the 2nd floor was transformed into a fully air-conditioned rehabilitation facility.

A PDEA office will also be built in the facility.

The reformation center is funded by the city government and will be the venue where patients will be taught livelihood programs and classes to help them in their reintegration into society.

First in NCR

After the signing, Zamora also submitted San Juan City's application to become the very first drug-cleared city in the National Capital Region (NCR) to PDEA.

San Juan City previously received a 100 percent performance rating from (PDEA) in its 2023 Anti-Drug Abuse Council (ADAC) Performance Audit.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) explained the ADAC Performance Audit is expected to assess the functionality and effectiveness of local ADACs based on existing issuances and policies, determine ADAC-initiated and/or endorsed innovations, and best practices at all levels; create an evaluation, and assessment platform; and recognize effective and performing ADACs.

"Ang San Juan po ay 100 percent rating sa ADAC Audit, 'yung Anti-Drug Abuse Council Audit. Tayo lang po ang lungsod sa Metro Manila na naka 100 percent rating kaya congratulations po sa lungsod ng San Juan, congratulations sa lahat ng naging bahagi ng ating efforts para maabot nga ang 100 percent rating (San Juan City received a 100 percent rating in the ADAC Audit or the Anti-Drug Abuse Council Audit. We are the only city in Metro Manila to achieve a 100 percent rating so I congratulate the whole city of San Juan and all who became part of our efforts in achieving such a feat)," Zamora said.

In August 2023, the mayor was commended by PDEA and the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) for leading the city's relentless anti-drug campaign which made San Juan the only city in NCR to have all its barangays drug-cleared.

"Gagawin po natin ang lahat sa ating makakaya upang panatilihing maayos, hindi lamang ang San Juan, ngunit ang kabuuang Metro Manila (We will continue to do everything we can to ensure peace and order not only in San Juan, but in the whole of Metro Manila)," Zamora, who is also the Metro Manila Council (MMC) president, said.