MASANTOL Mayor Danilo Guintu warned drug surrenderers who graduated from the “Bahay Pagbabago” reformation program over the weekend to “once and for all stop” the use of illegal drugs as they will face the law and get “no second chances.”
“Dapat makita at maintindihan nila na seryoso ang gobyerno sa laban ng ilegal na droga. Kami sa local government ay hindi rin nakikipagbiruan sa laban na ito, kaya dapat seryosohin nila. Wala ng second chance sa 'Bahay Pagbabago',” he said.
Guintu also warned the drug reformists of the possible consequences they may face if they pursue their illegal vice.
He reminded them that despite undergoing rehabilitation, the surrenderers will still be under police surveillance and their return might put them and their family’s security in jeopardy.
“Kapag napatunayan na gumagamit sila, ulit sila. Sana hindi na lang sila lumaban, pero kung nasa impluwensya ka na ng droga, hindi mo na alam ang gagawin mo. Kaya kung hindi ka sa kulungan, sa sementeryo diretso mo,” he stressed.
Guintu, who led the graduation rites of the 49 drug surrenderers from Sagrada and Sto. Niño villages, said that the reformists must maximize the opportunity and assistance given to them by the local government to reintegrate themselves to the community.
“Malaking tulong ang ibinibigay ng gobyerno sa mga drug surrenderees. Unang-una, identified na sila as drug pushers and users, pwede na silang hulihin anytime. Pero hindi ‘yun ang ginagawa ng PNP (Philippine National Police, binibigyan na sila ng pagkakataon na magbago, tinutulungan pa sila para mapadali ang pagbabago para sa kanila,” he explained.
He said that the National Government is allocating a huge chunk of the budget to accommodate and reform drug surrenderers and assist their respective families.
Guintu explained that instead of allocating the budget for the social services and help sick and needy Masantoleños, the local government spends it for their 30-day reformation which includes food and accommodation.