VIGAN CITY (PIA) — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Ilocos Region (PDEA R1) inaugurated the sixth Balay Silangan in Santa Catalina town in Ilocos Sur on Thursday morning.

The PDEA R1 Assistant Regional Director Valente G. Cariño led the launching of the reformation center located at Barangay Poblacion in the said municipality. 

“This is one of the endeavors of the PDEA to help our brothers and sisters who used illegal drugs, so they have a chance to reform their lives and to prevent them from using illegal drugs again,” Cariño said.

He further stated that the agency continues to strengthen the implementation of the program, in partnership with other government agencies.

He said: “We will continue establishing reformation centers to help more individuals, we hope to eventually clear all barangays, towns, and our nation from the clasp of illegal drugs. This is also the reason why we continue to partner with local government units (LGUs) — to build more Balay Silangan reformation centers.”

Cariño informed that there are already drug surrenderees who volunteered to undergo the reformation program in the town.

Meanwhile, he mentioned that the PDEA, along with other national government agencies and the local government of Santa Catalina, signed the manifesto of commitment to solidify their support.

Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Ilocos Sur Provincial Director Joel Pilotin said, “This program will be more effective if there is a program that will reform the surrenderees. My commitment as provincial director of TESDA is the skills training program.”

The program does not only provide reformation to the clients, but through the TESDA and the LGU, they will also receive certificates after completing the skills training.

The training will provide the clients with a sustainable livelihood and prevent them from resorting to illegal acts.

Moreover, the PDEA, the other NGAs and the LGU asked for everybody’s cooperation in order to help those who lost their way reform their lives. (JCR/JPD/ATV, PIA Ilocos Sur)