IFUGAO'S Reflection Camp (IRC) is being eyed as model in drug rehabilitation.
IRC is a half-way house that provides drug abuse behavioral therapy established by the Provincial Government in 2016 after the increased number of surrenderees as a result of the intensified war against illegal drugs in the country.
“I am very proud, lagi kong ipinagyayamabang ito sa Bicol, Cebu, Davao, sa Region IV and others,” Department of Social Welfare and Development Assistant Secretary Jose Antonio Hernandez during his visit at the IRC at Tiger Hill.
“We envision the IRC to be a model to be implemented nationwide,” he added.
Hernandez added in his presentations nationwide, he inspires his audience and the anti-drug councils to learn from the IRC.
“As long as it with the family and community in mind, it is possible to achieve it even without big funding,” he said.
Hernandez also emphasized that a strong family and community is needed to be able to help drug surrenderees cope with the society.
“We have to treat the surrenderees. They were former cancers of the society but now, we have to try help them be assets and partners as the nation takes off. Sama-sama tayo dapat, hindi natin sila dapat iwanan and there’s a bright future ahead of the country, kailangan lang natin palakasin an gating pamilya at komunidad,” Hernandez said.
Hernandez explained the family and the community should not put these surrenderees in shame or exclude them from the society.
In addition, Hernandez said through the DSWD’s intervention, their plan is to provide direction and transform the surrenderers to become volunteers and advocates and eventual leaders of the society.
“If a leader becomes a disaster responder, kung siya ay may malasakit sa kapwa, if it indicates good leadership then the person is reintegrated,” Hernandez added.
Hernandez was in the city during a consultation with the Philippine National Police, Provincial and Municipal Anti-drug Councils on Drug Rehabilitation and Reintegration.
Hernandez recalled President Rodrigo Duterte’s instructions for surrenderees: “Pagbagong buhayin ang mga iyan, let them help contribute to the society, huwag iwanan.”