VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur (PIA) – The province of Ilocos Sur now has a total of eight Balay Silangan reformation centers, according to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
 
PDEA Ilocos Sur provincial officer Anabel Cabarles said these are built in the towns of Tagudin, Cervantes, Lidlidda, Galimuyod Santa Lucia, Santa Catalina, Santa Maria, and Magsingal.
 
She said drug pushers who have voluntarily surrendered, and/or have entered into a plea bargain are qualified to be part of the reformation program under the Balay Silangan.
 
Here they will undergo interventions such as continuing education and health awareness, and psychological/spiritual/physical activities, including counseling, among others, as well as livelihood and skills training programs to give them employment opportunities once they are reintegrated to the society.
 
“Main purpose nito ay upang ma-reform sila. Para maibalik sila sa pamilya nila at sa komunidad,” Cabarles said in an interview on Tuesday.
 
The reformation centers were constructed through the joint efforts of PDEA, the Philippine National Police, the local government units (LGUs), and other stakeholders in support with the government's anti-illegal drug campaign, hence, to achieve and maintain a drug-free community.
 

In connection to this, its efforts were recently recognized as the provincial government of Ilocos Sur and its 32 component LGUs were conferred with the 2022 Anti-Drug Abuse Council (ADAC) Performance Award.
 
The province, along with Candon City, and the municipalities of Alilem, Banayoyo, Bantay, Burgos, Cabugao, Caoayan, Cervantes, Galimuyod, Gregorio del Pilar, Lidlidda, Magsingal, Nagbukel, Quirino, Salcedo, San Emilio, San Esteban, San Ildefonso, San Juan, San Vicente, Santa, Santa Catalina, Santa Cruz, Santa Lucia, Santa Maria, Santiago, Santo Domingo, Sigay, Sinait, Sugpon, Suyo, and Tagudin were assessed with high functionality rating under the 2022 ADAC Performance Audit and passed the ADAC Awarding Assessment.
 
Meanwhile, the municipalities of Galimuyod, Gregorio del Pilar, Lidlidda, San Ildefonso, and Sigay garnered a 100% score during the conduct of the ADAC Performance Audit and received an incentive cash award of P100,000. (JCR/AMB/JMCQ, PIA Ilocos Sur)