Ilocos norte: The Department of the Interior and Local Government has called on local government units in Ilocos Norte to establish their own drug reformation centers as part of efforts to achieve drug-free status for the province. This initiative was highlighted during the fourth quarter joint provincial peace and order council and provincial anti-drug abuse council (ADAC) meeting, where the importance of these centers in combating the community drug issue was discussed.
According to Philippines News Agency, DILG provincial director Gerald Gallardo emphasized the need for all 21 towns and two cities in Ilocos Norte, including the provincial government, to have functional Bahay Silangan drug reformation centers. Gallardo acknowledged the existing high functionality of anti-drug abuse councils in the province but stressed the necessity of these centers to maintain their effectiveness.
Gallardo indicated that setting up a Bahay Silangan should not be overly burdensome for the LGUs, as existing multi-purpose buildings could serve as alternatives. He also suggested that the provincial government should have its own center to support city and municipal efforts when necessary.
Currently, Ilocos Norte hosts 15 Bahay Silangan centers that support drug reformists in community-based rehabilitation programs. The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency guidelines list the establishment of such centers as a crucial step for municipalities aiming to be declared drug-free.
Recent data from the PDEA reveals that 41 out of 525 Barangays in the province remain affected by drugs, with 92.67 percent or 484 Barangays having been cleared of drug influence thus far.
