DILG lauds nine LGUs with remarkable rehab programs for drug users

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Wednesday lauded nine local government units due to their community-based rehabilitation programs against illegal drugs.

In a press statement, DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said despite the threat brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, the national government has been committed to the rehabilitation of drug users at the community level.

Año said the nine localities include the municipalities of Magallanes, Cavite; and Bacnotan, La Union; City of Lucena, Quezon; Municipality of Kalibo, Aklan; City of Ormoc, Leyte; Pasig City; Davao Oriental; Municipality of Claver, Surigao Del Norte; and Malaybalay City, Bukidnon.

"Our push in the grassroots level to rehabilitate and eventually reintegrate drug users continues and these nine best Community-Based Drug Rehabilitation and Reintegration Program (CBDRP) practices of LGUs are proof of the government’s commitment towards this policy. Ito po ay tagumpay ng ating bayan laban sa iligal na droga,” Año said.

The nine LGUs were recognized in a symposium on CBDRP best practices titled “Talakayang Rehab: Community-Based Drug Rehabilitation and Reintegration Best Practices.”

Año said the CBDRP best practices are solid testaments that the government is serious in the rehabilitation aspect of its anti-illegal drugs campaign.

“Tuloy-tuloy ang pagtatrabaho natin sa baba para i-rehabilitate ang mga kababayan nating naging biktima ng droga para eventually ay makapagbagong-buhay sila at maging produktibong kasapi ng lipunan,” he said.

According to Año, the victory of the nine localities could encourage other LGUs to imitate their actions and that it would also inspire illegal drugs victims to commit rehabilitation and reintegration as major steps in getting their lives back.  —Anna Felicia Bajo/KBK, GMA News