ARAYAT -- Some 21 drug surrenderers from this town on Wednesday, May 24, completed a 30-day reformation program conducted by the Philippine National Police and the local government.

Superintendent Samuel Sevilla, Arayat chief of police, said that the reformists are the third batch that graduated from the Bahay Pagbabago reformation program.

Under the program, Sevilla said that reformists underwent intensive physical, moral, mental, social, and spiritual conditioning for their holistic personal development.

“Ine-engage namin sila into different activities para mawala sa isip nila ‘yung drugs. And we also conduct lectures dun sa harmful effects ng illegal drugs hindi lang sa kanila kundi maging sa pamilya at iba pang malalapit sa kanila,” he said.

To ensure surrenderers' withdrawal from their dangerous vice, Sevilla said that all 21 reformists underwent mandatory drug testing a day before the graduation rites.

“Ginawa ang mandatory drug test to ensure na walang nakapagpuslit ng droga at lahat ay gusto talagang magabago na. Fortunately, lahat po sila ay nag-negative sa test,” he said.

After graduation, the newly-transformed individuals will be reintegrated into their respective communities but will remain under the monitoring of Barangay and Municipal Anti-Drug Abuse Council, according to Sevilla.

Of the total 847 drug pushers and users who voluntarily surrendered, at least 60 of have already finished reformation program, the police official added.

The rehabilitation of drug surrenderers will continue as the local government already allotted some P2 million for the program, Sevilla said.