Villar opens training program for 2nd batch of drug surrenderees

Sen. Cynthia Villar led the opening of the training program to help recovering drug addicts lead a productive life after rehabilitation.

Aside from Las Pinas, the second batch of drug surrenderees who will undergo training on farming and was also composed of surrenderees from Cavite and Paranaque at the Villar SIPAG (Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance) Farm School in Bacoor, Cavite.

"As drug surrenderees transition from addiction to recovery, we are offering this training program that will help them move forward to a productive life and not go back to their addictive ways," Villar said.

Under the program "Sagip Bukas: A Drug Rehabilitation Training Program," Villar partnered with the Office of the Mayor, Las Pinas City; Office of the Mayor, Paranaque; Office of the Mayor, Bacoor; Las Pinas General Hospital (LPGH), Las Pinas Health Office, Philippine National Police PNP), Las Pinas Hall of Justice, Department of Agriculture, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Health, and Allied Botanical Corporation.

'Sagip-Bukas,' a 12-week drug rehabilitation training program, includes free trainings on urban farming to be given by the Allied Botanical Corporation. Lectures on health and wellness will also be given by Las Pinas General Hospital. Personnel from the Las Pinas Hall of Justice will explain the ethico legal aspects of substance abuse while the Couples for Christ Foundation for Family and Life will handle topics on values formation.

The program also entails involvement in environmental protection activities such as coastal clean-up and mangrove planting with environment advocates like Villar and the DENR. Participants will also do physical training and dance exercises.

The second batch is composed of 100 surrenderees from Las Pinas, 50 from Cavite, and 50 from Paranaque. These are surrenderees who were able to finish at least three sessions of values formation in their respective barangays. Participants also had free medical check-ups, X-rays and urinalysis at the LPGH. They were also assessed and screened by the Las Pinas City Health Office and Department of Health-accredited doctors. All activities are being coordinated and monitored by the PNP.

The rehabilitation training program is in line with the government's goal of helping former users of illegal drugs to go back to their normal lives and become productive citizens.