LGUs urged: Provide rehab programs for surrenderers

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Provincial Board has called on all 51 cities and municipalities of Cebu Province to develop and provide rehabilitation programs for drug surrenderers.

 The Board has invoked Section 2 of the Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Act of 2002), which mandates the provision of "effective mechanisms or measures to re-integrate into society individuals who have fallen victims to drug abuse or dangerous drug dependence through sustainable programs of treatment and rehabilitation."

 Board Member Jovito Ouano, author of the resolution, stressed the role of the government in providing comprehensive and accessible programs for the drug surrenderers.

 "In response to a restorative community, the local government units should provide access and develop programs among are detoxifying, monitoring, support system, community service and livelihood training," he said.

 The rehabilitation programs, he said are aimed at encouraging surrenderers to "change their lifestyle, bring them back to the folds of law, and with the ultimate goal of transforming them into valuable members of the society."

 The LGUs are also encouraged to coordinate with government agencies like the Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development and other agencies involved in the drugs control and treatment and rehabilitation programs.

 Earlier, Governor Hilario Davide III also asked LGUs to start planning what cash-for-work programs they can offer to the surrenderers since the government's rehabilitation facility cannot accommodate them all.

 The Capitol, for instance, is eyeing at providing livelihood to drug surrenderers through the cash-for-work program, which includes de-clogging of canals and drainage and carpentry works in schools.

 In Lapu-Lapu City, surrenderers can avail of livelihood programs implemented by the city through the Lapu-Lapu City Cooperative and Livelihood Resource Center, as well as the cash-for-work program of the City Social Welfare Services.

 The city government has also been in talks with the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) and Megaworld to allow some surrenderers to work at the airport and at the ongoing project of Megaworld in Mactan. (FREEMAN)