2 new facilities for drug surrenderers to open in Cebu

Two facilities that will be under the supervision of the Cebu Provincial Government to help the rehabilitation of drug surrenderers and law offenders will soon become operational.

In her report during the quarterly meeting of the Provincial Peace and Order Council, Cebu Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Office Chief Carmen Remedios Durano-Meca said the New Life Cebu Province Rehabilitation Center in Pinamungajan town will be completed in February next year, while the Balay Silangan Reformation Center in Danao City will open its doors next month.

The 160-bed drug rehabilitation facility in Pinamungajan was donated by Globe Telecom and its construction is ongoing.

The reformation center in Danao City is currently undergoing renovation.

The implementation of the Balay Silangan program is pursuant to Dangerous Drugs Board Regulation 2, Series of 2018, titled “Balay Silangan–Guidelines for Community Involvement in Reforming Drug Offenders into Self-Sufficient and Law-Abiding Members of Society.”

While the rehabilitation center in Pinamungajan is intended for drug surrenderers who need treatment, the Balay Silangan will serve as a community-based reformation facility for drug peddlers who surrendered with no pending cases.

Drug personalities who entered into a plea-bargaining agreement with the government will also be accepted in the Balay Silangan.