WV’s 41st ‘Balay Silangan’ Center for drug reformists unveiled in DSB

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Another “Balay Silangan” Reformation Center in Western Visayas was inaugurated in Don Salvador Benedicto (DSB), Negros Occidental last Thursday.

This is the 41st “Balay Silangan” Center for drug reformists in the region, according to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-6.

This is also the third drug reformation facility in the province, following the inauguration of the center in the towns of Pulupandan and Hinoba-an.

PDEA-6 acting regional director Alex Tablate, along with the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo) led by Police Colonel Romy Palgue, and Mayor Laurence Marxlen Dela Cruz, among others, led the inauguration rites at Barangay Igmayaan.

Balay Silangan is a community-based reformation program aimed at rehabilitating drug surrenderers across the country.

Qualified clients are drug pushers who surrendered or those who availed the plea bargaining.

Tablate said that “if we really want to cure this problem in Illegal drugs, let’s not do it just because it is our job, but because we love our children and family.”

Meanwhile, Palgue, in his message, urged everyone to join hands in fighting the drug problem in the country.

“Magsama sama tayo na labanan ang droga,” he said.

Mayor Dela Cruz thanked and lauded everyone who acted and took part in the success of launching their own reformation center.

Also present were village chiefs, SB members and other members of the Municipal Anti-Drug Abuse Council, who also expressed their dedication by signing a Manifesto of Commitment during the program.