SAN SIMON -- Another batch of drug surrenderees are set for reformation as the Bahay Pagbabago ni Apung Pilar in this town opened its doors anew over the weekend.
The 74 drug surrenderers were welcomed by the local officials, Parish Pastoral Council, and Philippine National Police during the opening ceremonies held at the Nuestra Señora del Pilar Parish grounds.
According to Chief Inspector German Pascua, this town’s police chief, the enrollees will undergo the three-month reformation program which includes moral and spiritual recovery, physical fitness and livelihood program.
He stressed that the local government, religious sector and PNP continue to pool in their resources to provide a second chance for the surrenderers who are willing to redeem themselves from the use of illegal drugs.
“Unrelenting pa rin ang ating campaign against illegal drugs at isa itong reformation program sa ating programa. Itong mga kapatid natin ay sumuko at nag-express ng willingness na magbago, kaya kung may maitutulong tayo, ibigay na natin ngayon,” he said.
Pascua, who was just installed in this town recently, expressed his gratitude to the local government and the church for their strong support to the reformation of the drug surrenderers.
He said that the local government headed by Mayor Leonora Wong already pledged almost P500,000 for the expenses of Bahay Pagbabago, while the Nuestra Señora del Pilar Parish under the guidance of Fr. Homer Policarpio will facilitate the program.
“Ito po ay partnership ng munisipyo, ng simbahan at kapulisan. Nagpapasalamat po ako sa genorisity ng munisipyo at ang guidance na binibigay ni Fr. Homer para po matulungan lahat itong ating mga surrenderees,” he said.
The 74 enrollees are part of the total 1,048 drug surrenderers of the town under the PNP’s Oplan Tokhang (Knock and plead).
About 97 reformists already graduated from the program during the first and second batches.