IMELDA, Zamboanga Sibugay (PIA) – The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Zamboanga Sibugay and the local government unit (LGU) of Imelda and recently inaugurated the Balay Silangan Reformation Center (BSRC) at the evacuation center in Barangay Balugo.
This center will serve as a vital facility for intervention and support for surrendered drug personalities in the municipality.
The BSRC aims to provide counselling, livelihood, and skills training to help individuals reintegrate into society. Its goal is to turn former drug dependents into productive and law-abiding citizens.
Maharani Gadaoni-Tosoc, regional director of PDEA region 9, expressed appreciation for the LGU of Imelda, barangay officials, and all government agencies involved.
“This center is a testament to our collective commitment to the national anti-drug campaign,” Gadaoni-Tosoc said.
Jerry Silva, municipal mayor of Imelda, conveyed his gratitude for the initiative, emphasizing the importance of community support in the rehabilitation and reintegration of drug reformists.
“This project helps reintegrate drug surrenderers into mainstream society and strengthens our community, making it safer and drug-free,” Silva said.
A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed by key stakeholders following the blessing of the facility. The MOA outlines the responsibilities of each party in supporting the reformation program.
Balay Silangan is a PDEA program that reintegrates drug surrenderers through livelihood training, values formation, and community service, with support from local government units. It aims to transform former drug dependents into productive citizens using a non-institutional approach.
The BSRC in Imelda is the 44th of its kind in region 9. It continues the government’s efforts to curb drug-related issues and support rehabilitation at the local level. (EDT/RBI/PIA9-Zamboanga Sibugay)
