Press Release
June 24, 2017

100 drug surrenderees graduated from Villar SIPAG drug rehab program

Senator Cynthia A. Villar said 100 drug surrenderees graduated from the 12-week training program sponsored by Villar SIPAG (Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance) in order to help former drug addicts lead a productive life after rehabilitation.

Villar, chairperson of the Senate committee on Agriculture, expressed hope that former drugs dependents can now lead a normal life after completing the training program held at the Villar Farm School in Las Pinas City.

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

The event coincided with the Harvest festival wherein the drug surrenderees harvested vegetables they planted as part of the program. They can bring home to their families their harvest.

Villar said the second batch of drug surrenderers who participated in the Community-based Drug Rehabilitation Training Program came from different barangays in Las Pinas.

Participants to the program had earlier surrendered to Las Pinas Police under the Philippine National Police's Oplan Tokhang program.

Prior to the training, the participants had a zumba session to pump up their energy. They also had a training on urban agriculture that aims to provide them with alternative livelihood to ensure food security within their families.

The training provided by Las Piñas General Hospital personnel focused on prevention of diseases and promotion of health not only for the participants but also for their family members, as well as first aid and basic life support.

There were also discussions on values formation, spiritual healing and restoration led by the faith-based organization Couples for Christ Foundation for Family and Life (CFC-FFL).

The participants were likewise taught the importance of environment conservation and protection through coastal clean-up activities.

The drug rehabilitation program, also also known "Sagip Bukas," was conducted in partnership with Allied Botanical Corporation, Las Pinas Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Agriculture (DA), Office of the Las Pinas City Mayor, Las Pinas City Health Office and the Las Pinas General Hospital & Satellite Trauma Center and CFC/FFL.

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