‘Balay Silangan’ launched to give second chance for drug personalities

BACOLOD City – The Balay Silangan Reformation Center near the Bacolod City Police Office compound, Barangay Singcang-Airport launched its operation on Nov 22.

The center presented its first batch of beneficiaries that would undergo a month-long reformation program in the center.

The beneficiaries are “drug offenders” of Bacolod City and were endorsed by the parole and probation office.

Out of 31, only 17 have qualified to Balay Silangan after a series of pre-qualification tests.

With the help of other government agencies, the month-long reformation program will include of religious, sports, personal hygiene, basic life skills activities to name a few.

Afterwards, a community-based aftercare rehabilitation program for drug reformists will be conducted with the assessment of social workers in coordination with the Balay Silangan technical working group.

They will assess the suitable aftercare program a drug reformist needs and how long it will last.

The drug reformists may be deployed under various education, training, advocacy interventions.

Balay Silangan is the first reformation facility in Bacolod City and Negros Occidental, and it is under the supervision of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

The event was attended by Executive Assistant Head Carmeli Bantug-Zayco (on behalf of Mayor Albee Benitez), Social Services Committee chair Councilor Simplicia Distrito, and Balay Silangan Director Retired Police Brigadier General Primitivo Tabujara, Jr.

Also present were BCPO Director Col. Thomas Joseph Martir, Department of Social Services and Development Head Pacita Tero, DILG 6 officer May Theresa Malongayon, and IA 1 Jayr Espares, PDEA Negros Occidental assistant provincial officer.