About 37 drug dependents attend the launching of the Cebu Archdiocese’s Lahat Bangon or “Labang” community-based drug rehabilitation program in its pilot area in Barangay Kamputhaw, Cebu City. The reformists include a 52-year-old man and his three sons who have been drug users for many years.
CDN PHOTO/TONEE ESPOJO
AFTER embarking on a community-based drug rehabilitation program, Lahat Bangon or Labang in Barangay Subangdako, Mandaue City, which was viewed a success, the Archdiocese of Cebu is now bringing the project to Cebu City with Barangay Kamputhaw as its pilot site.
The program launched last Sunday is a joint undertaking of the archdiocese and Kamputhaw officials with the help of Dilaab Foundation and St. Theresa’s College, Cebu City.
Under the project, 37 drug surrenderers of Barangay Kamputhaw will be made to undergo a six-month rehabilitation program which will include social intervention, psychological courses and emotional counseling.
Their family members will be joining the program to ensure that the effect of rehabilitation will be sustained.
For the surrenderer 52-year-old Victor Ong, he enlisted in the program to serve as an example to his sons and influence them to stop using illegal drugs.
Ong himself has been an illegal drug user for 30 years.
“Before they got themselves into drugs, I warned my children not to use [the substance] so they wont be like me, but they still did,” said Ong.
“All of my 4 sons are engaged in drugs. It seems that they didn’t take my warning, but I hope that they will take my example and reform with me,” said Ong.
Ong and three of his sons are now part of Labang drug rehabilitation program.
The reformers will be made to undergo drug testing at some point of the rehabilitation process to ensure that they have ceased from using illegal drugs.
Cebu Auxiliary Bishop Dennis Villarojo said that efforts to reform the surrenderers could not be solely done by one person but through the coordination of the Philippine National Police (PNP), church and local government.
Villarojo said that helping surrenderers find a new meaning in life should be the core of reform rather than resort to killing or shaming them.
“Rehabilitation is the longer process and the harder process, but this is also for a long-term solution. We don’t condemn them by being drug dependents, but we help them find a solution to end their addiction,” said Villarojo.
Kamputhaw Barangay Captain Trifonio Lequigan Jr. said that he was one with the church in protecting the value of human rights and dignity.
He also assured that replicating the shame campaign done by some officials in certain barangays would be a remote possibility in Kaputhaw.