QUEZON CITY -- A total of 131 local government units (LGUs) nationwide signed an agreement with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for the implementation of the Yakap Bayan Program, the reintegration intervention strategy for the rehabilitated Recovering Persons Who Used Drugs (RPWUDs).

YBP is a holistic intervention to assist RPWUDS in their recovery journey and to facilitate their reintegration to their families and their respective communities. The program is the core contribution of the DSWD to the government’s fight against illegal drugs.

As of March 31, 2022, some 131 LGUs nationwide have entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the DSWD committing to implement the YBP in their respective jurisdiction.

The YBP implementation entails the provision of aftercare services, such as relapse prevention sessions, counselling sessions, health and fitness therapy, spiritual interventions, and skills training, among others, to improve the well-being and social functioning of RPWUDs.

Under the MOA, the LGUs are expected to issue a local policy aimed at institutionalizing the program implementation and the allocation of funds.  With the program implementation, the rehabilitated RPWUDs can look forward to being assisted by the government in their journey back to their families and communities.

Presently, the Department continues to advocate for the institutionalization of YBP in all localities, and has identified three model/pilot areas wherein implementation is closely monitored, and breakthroughs are documented for possible replication.  These model/pilot areas are Tuy, Batangas; Barbaza, Antique; and Glan, Sarangani.

Based on the March 2022 report, the LGUs with existing MOA with the DSWD are composed of three provincial LGUs; 17 City LGUs; and 111 municipal LGUs.

Of the total LGUs, 34 are from Central Visayas with the rest distributed in all regions nationwide as indicated by the signed and duly notarized MOAs.

In line with the Mandanas ruling, the DSWD is currently transitioning to fully devolve the implementation of key programs to the LGUs, including the YBP.

With illegal drugs a threat to the development of the sectors that DSWD serves, the Department continues to exert all efforts at advocating the institutionalization of the YBP in all LGUs. (DSWD)