In support to Dangerous Drugs Board Regulation No. 2 series of 2018, the City Government of Calapan started the Balay Silangan Program on April 8, 2019 at the Bishop’s Palace, San Rafael, Calapan City. Said program aims to reform drug offenders into self-sufficient and law-abiding members of the society.

The occasion was mainly participated in by representatives from the Local Government Unit, lead partner agencies and sectors such as PDEA, DILG, PNP, DSWD, TESDA, DTI, AFP, and the religious sector. Drug offenders who are beneficiaries of the program were also present during the event.

In an opening message, PDEA Regional Director Mario D. Ramos stressed that the government wants to have a drug-cleared Philippines by 2022 and that MIMAROPA aims to be the first region to be declared as drug-cleared. He also said that the program was not for the benefit of the participating agencies but for the welfare of the beneficiaries.

The DTI Provincial Director and the representatives from other agencies also delivered their respective messages. Highlight of the activity was the message from the keynote speaker, DILG Regional Director Florida M. Dijan. According to her, the program is an integrated government effort to clean the cancer of the society—the proliferation of illegal drugs. She remimded the beneficiaries to be serious of the program because the government is spending much resources, time and efforts to make it successful.

For her, Balay Silangan signifies “Bagong umaga, Bagong pag-asa” where the participants treat themselves as a family working for a common cause.  She ended her speech by saying “We should not just move on but move forward” and challenged the beneficiaries to not just finish the program but to graduate with honors and that after graduation there should be no more coming back.

City Mayor Arnan C. Panaligan also gave his message wherein he cited the parable of the “Prodigal Son”, a biblical story of forgiveness. “lahat may pag-asang magbago”, he said. He also stressed the strong partnership of the government and the church in many endeavors

All participants signed a Commitment Manifest to signify their support followed by orientation on the Program.

With a local theme R3-K4: Road to Recovery and Reintegratiion – Karunungan, Kalusugan, Kabuhayan, Karakter, the Balay Silangan Program provides interventions which shall include but not limited to lectures on policies related to illegal drugs and its ill effects, psychological/spiritual/ physical activities, and livelihood or employment education.

By: Eufracio N. Forones Jr.