Junkshop, garden created to support “Tokhang” folks

CEBU, Philippines - To help drug personalities who surrendered in the "Oplan Tokhang," the local police force in the municipality of San Francisco, Cebu has initiated the Magbago Junkshop and Garden of Hope.

Police Senior Inspector Janus Giangan, who heads the San Francisco Police Station, said it took them two weeks to come up with the idea to help improve the town and benefit the 2,000 users and pushers in the town.

The Magbago Junkshop, which opened yesterday, is located in front of the police station.

Giangan said every surrendering drug personality is required to bring five bottles of used plastic containers when they report to the station every week for their monitoring and evaluation.

"The profits of this (project) will be used for the benefits of (those who surrendered). Their share will be based on their attendance at sa profits din," Giangan said in a phone interview.

He added that this project will also help the town free from plastic waste.

Complementing the Magbago Junkshop project is the Garden of Hope, which will be used for planting eggplants as part of the rehabilitation of those who surrendered.

The area is located in a private lot in Barangay Consuelo.

"Ang lot na ginagamit is dating nursery lot. Gagawan natin yan ng Memorandum of Agreement, okay naman yung may-ari, uncle ng barangay captain," Giangan said.

The Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council of Barangay Consuelo through barangay captain Liezl Yuzon supports the Garden of Hope.

Giangan said they are also looking at another lot where they can plant okra and other vegetables. 

Just like the Magbago Junkshop, proceeds of the Garden of Hope would also go to those who surrendered and participated in the program. (FREEMAN)