Villar sees ‘bright future’ for ex-drug dependents in Las Piñas

Former drug dependents have the chance to become productive citizens, Sen. Cynthia Villar said Friday following the success of a community-based drug rehabilitation training program in Las Piñas (Photo: Cynthia Villar/Facebook)

MANILA—Former drug dependents have the chance to become productive citizens, Sen. Cynthia Villar said Friday following the success of a community-based drug rehabilitation training program in Las Piñas

The foundation initiated by the family of Villar, SIPAG or Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance, carried out a 12-week training program at the Villar SIPAG Farm School in Las Piñas last October 2016.

Villar, who is also SIPAG Director, was the guest of honor during the recent recognition rites of the drug dependents.

During the ceremony, she congratulated the former drug dependents for ‘graduating’ from the program.

She also expressed hope that they continue to be changed persons, and that they refrain from going back to their old habits of using illegal drugs.

“The future is bright. I urge all the program participants to put to good use everything that they have learned, especially the technical know-how on urban agriculture. This will help put food on their tables and money in their pockets,” Villar said.

Participants to the program were drug dependents from Las Piñas City who surrendered to the police under the Oplan Tokhang program of the Philippine National Police.

As of January 2017, more than 11,000 drug users from Las Piñas have surrendered to the local police.

The participants went through trainings which included Zumba, training on urban agriculture, and disease prevention and health promotion.

They also participated in discussions given by faith-based organizations for values formation, spiritual healing and restoration.

Moreover, they were taught the importance of environment conservation and protection through coastal clean-up activities.

The program, initiated by Villar SIPAG, is in partnership with Allied Botanical Corporation, Las Pinas’ PNP, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of Health, Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Agriculture, Office of the Mayor of Las Pinas City, Las Pinas City Health Office and the Las Pinas General Hospital & Satellite Trauma Center and Couples for Christ Foundation for Family and Life Inc.