13 Capiz towns set up ‘Balay Silangan’ reformation center

ROXAS CITY, Capiz (PIA) — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Capiz Police Provincial Office (CPPO) has announced that 13 of the 17 municipalities and one city of the province have already set up “Balay Silangan.”

CPPO information officer PCapt. Merry Cris Dela Cruz said that the Balay Silangan caters to drug dependents or after they serve their penalty.

Also, PDEA Capiz Balay Silangan focal person and intelligence officer Christine Estaca-an said that the Balay Silangan is under the local government units, while the PDEA, as the implementing arm of the Dangerous Drug Board (DDB), is the one supervising the Balay Silangan Reformation Center (BSRC). 

“Ang pwede lang gid makasulod sa Balay Silangan is ang mga street level nga mga pusher kag ang pushers nga na-arrest na and then naka avail na sang PBA or Plea Bargain Agreement,” Estaca-an said, noting that it must be stated in their court order or specified by the judge that they are required to undergo intervention or rehabilitation at the Balay Silangan. 

(Only street-level pushers and those who have been arrested and availed the PBA are allowed to be admitted to the Balay Silangan.) 

She also noted that drug pushers and users aged below 18 years old are not qualified for admission at the rehabilitation center. 

Estaca-an further clarified that only those categorized as drug pusher or both user and pusher would qualify for admission to Balay Silangan. Those identified solely as users would be disqualified.

Moreover, according to PDEA, the BSRC is a reformatory facility that caters to drug pushers and plea bargainers to help them reintegrate into society.

“Ang purpose gid abi sina is mga livelihood programs. Ina may mga government agencies like DTI kag TESDA nga dapat ara gid dira. Kay sila gid dira ang main event, ang goal sang Balay Silangan is tudluan ang mga tawo sang livelihood programs nga legal kag hindi na sila magbalik pagbaligya sang ilegal nga droga,” Estaca-an added.

(The main purpose of the Balay Silangan is to provide livelihood programs. Government agencies including the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) are essential participants because they play a vital role in the program. The goal of Balay Silangan is to teach people legal livelihood skills, helping them avoid returning to selling illegal drugs). (AGP/PLF/PIA Capiz)

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