23rd Balay Silangan in Iloilo launched in Alimodian

By Jennifer P. Rendon

 

Alimodian is the 23rd town in Iloilo province to launch its own reformation house for drug offenders.

The town’s “Balay Silangan” located at Barangay Binalud, Alimodian, was inaugurated and began operating on Tuesday, May 4.

A multi-sectorial reformation house, it serves as the second home of Persons Who Used Drugs (PWUDs) wanting to change and become a productive, law abiding and god-fearing citizen.

National and local agencies involved in Balay Silangan’s operation include the Municipal Health Office, the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Philippine National Police, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), the Department of Health, and the civil society.

The groundwork for Balay Silangan is stipulated under Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) Regulation Number 2, Series of 2018.

Its establishment is one of the requirements before the issuance of a “Drug Cleared” certificate.

The launching of Alimodian’s Balay Silangan was graced by Mayor Geefre Alonsabe and other elected officials of Alimodian.

Representing the Inter Agency Committee on Illegal Drugs is Colonel Gilbert Gorero, Iloilo police chief, and Edgar Apalla, PDEA-6 regional director.

Recently, the multi-sectoral committee on illegal drugs has declared 16 villages of Iloilo province as “drug-cleared.”