Drug surrenderers to get rice subsidy

CEBU, Philippines — Each drug surrenderer who religiously attended the drug rehabilitation program of Cebu City will get five kilos of rice every six months as subsidy from the city government.

The rice subsidy was recommended by Cebu City Office for Substance Abuse Prevention (COSAP) head Garry Lao to help the drug surrenderers. Mayor Tomas Osmeña approved the recommendation.

"I don't mind. Not only rice but love and care," Osmeña said.

Lao said the city government through his office will release the food incentive twice a year.

"We will give them five kilos of rice twice a year as incentive for graduating in the rehabilitation program," Lao said.

Lao said his office has allocated P316,000 for the rice procurement. The fund was taken from the annual budget of COSAP. He said a purchase request was already submitted to the Bids and Awards Committee. BAC head Ronald Malacora, however, said he has yet to receive a copy of the request.

Aside from giving rice subsidy, Lao is also planning to partner with business establishments to help graduates of the rehabilitation program get a permanent employment after their treatment.

"If we dare to dream of eradicating the drug menace, the whole community must be willing to help those with history of drug abuse to get back on their feet after rehabilitation. Otherwise, there is a tendency for them to go back to the substance abuse again out of helplessness, the lack of sense of purpose, and rejection from the community," he said.

Record shows that there are at least 57 individuals undergoing the community-based rehabilitation program and 15 under the office-based. They came from Barangays Bonbon, Taptap, Budlaan, Tabunan, Quiot, Cogon Pardo, Pung-ol Sibugay, Poblacion Pardo, Suba, Sawang, Zapatera, Agsungot, Adlaon, Sambag 2, Tisa, San Jose, and Bulacao.

Most of the surrenderers started the rehabilitation program last year. The community-based program involves medical checkup, livelihood trainings, educational campaign and religious activities. The program was piloted in Barangays Bonbon and Taptap.

Lao said the rehabilitation treatment would take at least three months. — FPL (FREEMAN)