MADRIDEJOS TO GIVE WORK, MEDS, EDUCATION TO DRUG SURRENDERERS

The Madridejos, Cebu Government plans to give work, medical care and education opportunities to drug surrenderers provided that they submit themselves to rehabilitation, which will be launched next week. Some 539 persons in the town submitted themselves for profiling under the PNP’s Oplan Tokhang. Mayor Jay River dela Fuente said the government was prompted to create the community-based rehabilitation program after they heard news that some of the surrenderers went back to selling and using illegal drugs. Dela Fuente said the town is also planning to reward policemen who can arrest illegal drug users and pushers.→

The Municipal Government of Madridejos, Cebu announced its plan to provide employment, medical care and educational opportunities to drug surrenderers.

There is one important condition, though, that surrenderers need to follow before they could avail themselves of the benefits, said Madridejos Mayor Jay River dela Fuente.

This is for the surrenderers to avail themselves of the town's drug rehabilitation program, which the municipal government is launching this week.

At least 539 Madridejos folks presented themselves for profiling under the police's Oplan Tokhang for their alleged involvement in illegal drugs.

Dela Fuente said that the creation of a community-based rehabilitation program was prompted after the local government officials received reports that some of the surrenderers have returned to selling or using drugs.

The mayor said that a briefing on the program will be conducted for more than 500 drug surrenders.

He said that those who refuse to undergo the program will not qualify for the benefits and opportunities offered by the local government, and they will also be arrested.

These benefits include job opportunities, free education for their children and free medical services.

Dela Fuente also plans to reward police officers who can arrest illegal drug users and pushers in town.

PO3 Orland Alico of the Madridejos Police Station said that based on their monitoring, illegal drug activities in the town have decreased following the declaration of President Rodrigo Duterte's intensified campaign against illegal drugs. JKV