SAN NARCISO, Zambales — The local government unit (LGU) of San Narciso has launched “Balay Silangan”, the first drug rehabilitation facility in the province.

In a meeting on November 26 for the town’s public order and safety cluster for the fourth quarter of 2020, the LGU signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to operationalize the newly-built Balay Silangan in the municipality.

The MOU also cemented the partnership and commitment among stakeholders towards the municipality’s aspiration to be resistant to illegal drugs.

The activity was attended by the cluster’s regular members, LGU functionaries, and punong barangays and was graced by PDEA Regional Director Christan O. Frivaldo.

In the meeting, the Mayor William Lim expressed gratitude and commitment for the operationalization of Balay Silangan, and wished for the speedy rehabilitation of the surrenderees and their eventual reintegration as productive members of the community.

After the signing of the MOU, municipal local government operations officer Dan Esteban proceeded to discuss the regular agenda of the meeting.

PCapt Jonathan Bardaje, 1Lt Norman Oliver H. Adlaon and FO I John Venel Felarca likewise presented the accomplishments of their respective offices in keeping San Narciso peaceful and orderly, showcasing the results in the local war on drugs.

In establishing Balay Silangan in San Narciso, the municipality and its partner agencies aimed to reach a drug-cleared municipality status by year 2021.

Meanwhile, Masinloc Mayor Arsenia J. Lim assured PDEA Provincial Officer Jigger Juniller that the municipality is one hundred percent committed in implementing programs and projects to eradicate illegal drugs.

Lim gave the assurance during the fourth quarter meeting of the peace and order and public safety cluster on November 25 at the municipal hall.

Lim said that among the activities to be undertaken by the LGU under this commitment are the renovation and operationalization of the Balay Silangan (formerly designated as Bahay Pagbabago) at Barangay Sta. Rita; coordination with the Department of Health (DOH) for the training of the Municipal Health Officer for drug personalities assessment; and intensifying of support to the anti-drug abuse councils at the barangay level.

Lim also expressed her gratitude to Vice Mayor Pedro O. Enciso and the Sangguniang Bayan members for their unwavering support to the different programs implemented by the LGU.

The peace and order and public safety cluster is composed of the Municipal Peace and Order Council (MPOC), Municipal Anti-Drug Abuse Council (MADAC), Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (MDRRMC) and Municipal Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (MTF-ELCAC).

Current peace and order and public safety situation, accomplishment and concern were also presented by members of the different local special bodies. — By Dan A. Esteban and Cindy C. Cagalitan / DILG-Zambales