Reformation center for drug dependents opens in Samal

THE PHILIPPINE Drug Enforcement Agency XI and local government of the Island Garden City of Samal launched the 1st Balay Silangan in Davao del Norte for the rehabilitation of drug dependents.

PDEA XI spokesperson Noli Nephi Dimaandal said the Balay Silangan is the first drug reformation center in Davao del Norte and second in Davao Region.

The capacity of the Balay Silangan will be 16 individuals per batch. It has two rooms and four double-deck beds.

He said the Samal City government allocated P2.5 million for the construction of the reformation center, P500,000 for its facilities and P500,000 for operational

expenses per year.

The Balay Silangan is a drug reformation center conceptualized in the province of Bataan Police Provincial Office when Director General Aaron Aquino was the regional director of Police Regional Office 3.

Balay Silangan aims to establish guidelines for community involvement in reforming drug offenders into self-sufficient and law-abiding members of the society.

“We value life, that’s the reason why we are establishing Balay Silangan, to offer hope to former drug offenders towards reformation,” he said.

After three months of undergoing house reformation, “we expect to reintegrate former drug offenders into their community as reformed and productive individuals who are able to take care of their respective family,” he added.