THE Talisay City Government has inked an agreement with a non-government organization (NGO) to provide aftercare services to children affected by the war on drugs.

On Friday, Feb. 14, 2020, officials of Our Lady of Divine Providence Home and Mayor Gerald Anthony Gullas Jr. entered into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) providing services to children whose parents were arrested or killed in anti-drug operations.

Gullas said establishing aftercare programs for persons affected by the war on drugs is part of his eight-point agenda of governance.

“Part of our efforts in the war on drugs is providing social services in the form of an aftercare program. We’re working together with NGOs that can really help children affected by the war on drugs, especially those those parents were killed,” he added in Cebuano.

Under the MOA, the NGO will provide temporary residential care for children who were orphaned or abandoned by parents who were involved in the illegal drug trade.

The City Social Welfare Services Office, on the other hand, will conduct regular assessments for children referred to the facility.

The City Government will extend quarterly financial assistance to the Our Lady of Divine Providence Home for maintenance and operation costs.

The NGO, though, must submit a proposal for any additional request for funding and must provide a liquidation form.

The City Government also has a separate aftercare program for drug surrenderees.

The program has been running for at least a decade and has benefited hundreds of former drug dependents in the city.

Gullas urged the public not to lose hope as the City continues to strengthen its efforts in the war against drugs.

He said the success of the war on drugs is not only measured on the number of apprehensions, but also on the rehabilitation and aftercare of those affected. (FMD / RTF)