79 PDLs graduate from rehab program
CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Office of Substance Abuse Prevention (COSAP) held a moving up ceremony for 79 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) at the Cebu City Hall Legislative Building Social Hall yesterday.
The 27 PDL graduates are from COSAP while the 52 other PDL graduates are from Department of Health (DOH) Region 7, who came from different barangays in Cebu City and one from Lapu-Lapu City.
Jonah John Rodriguez, COSAP executive assistant, said that they combined COSAP and DOH PDL graduates since both underwent the same program and the help they provide have “no boundaries.”
Rodriguez said that these PDLs are those who availed of the bargaining from the court.
Before they graduated, they underwent an outpatient rehab and a drug test.
They cannot graduate if they turn positive in the drug tests conducted.
“Weekly naa silay session sa opisina. That’s one to three in the afternoon nya apil sila sa mga kalihukan sa Cebu City, like katong clean up drive,” said Rodriguez.
After six months, the PDLs will be endorsed to the Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS) for their aftercare.
During their aftercare, they will undergo livelihood trainings and take vocational courses so that they establish themselves again and eventually land a job.
From July to September, almost 400 PDLs are under the custody of COSAP.
Rodriguez said that the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) will send about a thousand more PDLs to be placed under COSAP’s care.
After the graduation, 10 to 15 PDLs will be given a chance to take a computer course at the Cebu Technological University with the help of a non-profit organization. (FREEMAN)
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