CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Gov. Lilia ‘Nanay’ Pineda is set to convene all government line agencies in the province and local government units from the city/municipal to the barangay level and even the religious sector to discuss the assistance needed for the reformation and rehabilitation of the 10,237 self-confessed drug users and pushers who voluntarily surrendered recently.
The governor said the P10-Million budget approved by the Provincial Peace and Order Council is not enough for the anti-illegal drug campaign and rehabilitation of the surrenderees in the province.
Gov. Pineda furthered that government line agencies should provide services to develop the skills and capabilities of the surrenderees to ensure that they will stop using or selling drugs.
The governor said LGUs should also allot necessary budget for the rehabilitation of the surrendered and closely monitor their activities.
The lady governor also urges the surrendered drug users and pushers turned ‘reformists’ to totally change their lifestyle and quit their addiction.
She said those who will need rehabilitation will be endorsed to the rehabilitation center in Magalang.
“We will give them activities to make sure that they will totally quit their addiction and have a better life. I am planning to conduct a tree planting activity in Mt. Arayat as part of their physical fitness cum livelihood program,” the governor said.
Gov. Pineda also stressed that the rehabilitation process for the surrendered cabalens should be done through total family approach.
“I don’t want the drug suspects to just surrender. We will assist them and their families through the provision of educational and livelihood assistance,” she added.
