By Nanette Guadalquiver/PNA
BACOLOD CITY — The setting up of Balay Silangan reformation center in this city is ongoing as part of its commitment to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to host the pilot site in the Visayas.
Mayor Evelio Leonardia said that as of Tuesday, the city already received a clearance from the PDEA on the final design of the facility, which will accommodate surrendered drug personalities.
“Our priority now is the construction of Balay Silangan,” said the mayor, although he did not confirm yet the final schedule of the inauguration.
The facility will be situated inside the compound of the Bacolod City Police Office in Barangay Singcang-Airport.
Executive Assistant Samuel Montoyo, point person for the city’s anti-drug abuse campaign, said there is an existing structure in the area which will be renovated to serve as a drug reformation center.
In June last year, PDEA Director-General Aaron Aquino informed Leonardia that Bacolod is being considered for the program’s pilot implementation in the Visayas since the city actively supports the government’s anti-drug campaign.
The facility will accommodate drug personalities selected for a three-month in-house reformation program, which will have three phases.
Phase 1 covers education, particularly on Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002; Phase 2, provides self-help and life support skills; and Phase 3, focuses on provision of livelihood assistance.
PDEA said the Balay Silangan is a national drug reformation program that offers temporary refuge with the objective of reforming drug offenders into self-sufficient and law-abiding members of society.
Other Balay Silangan pilot sites are located in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija for Luzon; Caloocan City for the National Capital Region; and Malungon, Sarangani Province for Mindanao.
Dangerous Drugs Board Regulation No. 2, series of 2018 provides the guidelines for Balay Silangan on community involvement in reforming drug offenders into self-sufficient and law-abiding members of society.
