At least 22 out of 43 persons who used drugs (PWUDs) in Brgy. Bagonbon, San Carlos City graduated from their 90-day Community Based Drug Rehabilitation Program (CBDRP) at the barangay’s covered court Monday.
CBDRP is part of the Anti-Illegal Drugs Advocacy of the city for the drug-cleared barangay program where Brgy. Bagonbon was the first to apply this year.
The CBDRP started May 16 and ended August 15, and was facilitated by the San Carlos City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (SCCADAC).
Ana Liza Macaraya, SCCADAC secretary, said that “beneficiaries should now make the right choice by doing good and making up for the past mistakes that affected them and their family.”
Negros Occidental Board Member and Liga ng mga Barangay president Juvy Pepello said that since the beneficiaries were given the chance to live a normal life again by cleaning their names stained due to illegal drug activities, they should no longer go back or associate themselves with any illegal drugs and practices.
Pepello pointed out that their graduation from the local rehab should remind them of their responsibility to reform themselves and instead help the government in its fight against illegal drugs.
Brgy. Bagonbon Captain Editha Juanillo thanked the local government and the PWUDs’ families for their effort in helping their loved ones recover from their addiction, and for giving support in their journey towards reformation.
Food packs were also given to the graduates, consisting of 5-kilo rice pack from Brgy. Bagonbon, another 5-kilo rice pack from the City Social Welfare and Development Office, as well as noodles, canned goods, coffee and sugar.
SCCADAC also gave out certificates to the graduates while Pepello gave out P500 to each of the graduates and volunteers.
Present during the ceremony were Niña Lyn Aloquina, intelligence officer of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Negros Occidental; Edena Dagondon, CSWDO officer-in-charge; Police Lt. Rodney Sarona; Juan Carlos Ramon Solidarios, City Health Office nurse; and SCCADAC staff.*
