TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan (PIA) - - The City of Ilagan Balay Silangan Reformation Center was formally launched and inaugurated on August 27 at the Ilagan Sports Complex Compound.

As of writing, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) regional office here has opened 29 Balay Silangan reformation centers regionwide.

All member-agencies of the BS TWG were present including non-government organizations (NGOs) and civil society organizations (CSOs) which signified their support in the swift implementation of the said Balay Silangan in the said city.

All the 91 barangay chairpersons of the city also showed their support to the program. 

PDEA Regional Director Joel Plaza said the support of everyone in the war against illegal drugs is very important.

“It's a whole-of-nation approach and the best barometer in dealing with it is through the Barangay Drug Clearing Program in which Balay Silangan plays an important part in the rehabilitation of drug offenders,” Plaza said.

For his part, City of Ilagan Mayor Jay Diaz expressed his appreciation to PDEA, all BS Ilagan partner-agencies, LGU department heads, BS Ilagan staff, NGOs and CSOs for their support in the establishment and implementation of the Balay Silangan.

During the send-off ceremony, the City Government of Ilagan also awarded two sacks of rice and P5,000 cash aid to the families of the nine reformists (1st batch) who will undergo the in-house reformation program at the newly opened Balay Silangan.

The assistance, according to Diaz, is one way to keep the reformists from worrying about their families while undergoing BS reformation. (MDCT/With reports from PDEA-2/PIA Cagayan)