COTABATO CITY — Efforts to rehabilitate drug dependents in Basilan province will now be easier with the construction of a reformation facility in Lamitan City, officials said over the weekend.
Christian O. Frivaldo, director of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PDEA-BARMM), confirmed on Saturday the opening of the Balay Silangan Reformatory Center in Barangay Maganda in Lamitan City, which was built by the local government.
Mr. Frivaldo thanked Lamitan City Mayor Roderick H. Furigay and Basilan Gov. Jim H. Salliman for putting up the facility, which is critical in rehabilitation efforts for victims of drug abuse.
Echoing the same sentiments, Brig. Gen. Allan C. Nobleza, director of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, said: “We need the facility to hasten the reintroduction to the local communities of people once hooked to illegal drugs. We are thankful to the Lamitan City local government unit and the provincial government of Basilan for embarking on this project.” — John Felix M. Unson
