Left photo: DSWD Assistant Secretary for Special Concerns Jose Antonio Hernandez shares the DSWD’s planned programs for the rehabilitation of drug surrenderers during the community clean-up drive yesterday in Talisay, Batangas.
Right photo: DSWD Social Marketing Service Director Joel Espejo leads a team of information officers in the conduct of information drive in Talisay town proper during the “Linis Bayan.”

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in coordination with the local government unit (LGU) of Talisay, Batangas led yesterday the conduct of “Linis Bayan,” a pilot activity for drug surrenderers.

DSWD Assistant Secretary for Special Concerns and the Department’s focal person for the anti-drug campaign Jose Antonio Hernandez spearheaded the activity, together with DSWD Social Marketing Service Director Joel Espejo, and DSWD Field Office (FO) IV-A Assistant Regional Director Annie Mendoza. Talisay Mayor Gerry Natanauan and Presidential Adviser for Southern Tagalog Dennis Hernandez were also present during the event.

The “Linis Bayan” or community clean-up drive is a pilot activity of the DSWD that aims to reintegrate drug surrenderers in the community by involving them in activities that will have a positive impact in their barangays. The Department aims to have the activity replicated in other cities and municipalities.

Other than drug surrenderers, the clean-up drive was also participated in by community volunteers, DSWD Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) beneficiaries, and barangay officials and staff. DSWD Field Office (FO) IV-A provided ready-to-eat meals to the event’s participants.

In his message, Asec. Hernandez emphasized the importance of the rehabilitation of drug surrenderers and their reintegration to the community, which, he said, is what President Rodrigo R. Duterte also wants.

“Ang gusto pong mangyari ng Pangulo ay ma-rehabilitate ang mga surrenderers. Gusto ng Pangulo na bigyan sila ng pagkakataon na magbagong buhay. Kaya may tatlong pillars ang drug rehabilitation program ng administrasyon (The President wants drug surrenderers to be rehabilitated. He wants to give them a chance to renew their lives. This is why there are three pillars of the drug rehabilitation program of the administration),” he said.

The National Drug Rehabilitation Program of the government has three pillars. Pillar I refers to the creation of a data base of drug surrenderers, Pillar II is the community-based rehabilitation pillar, while Pillar III refers to the aftercare, reintegration, and transformation  support for recovering drug dependents. The DSWD is one of the lead agencies for Pillar II and Pillar III.

“We cannot afford to lose the war on drugs. Losing is not an option. This war is for the future of our children, for the next generation,” added Asec. Hernandez.

Asec. Hernandez also said that the DSWD wants to have a trajectory in the rehabilitation of drug surrenderers in the community. The Department plans to train surrenderers in disaster preparedness for them to become emergency responders so they can help during times of disasters. It also aims to give others skills training so surrenderers can be mobilized in different initiatives of the barangays.

“Sana ang Linis Bayan ay maging regular na aktibidad ng drug surrenderers sa Talisay, Batangas. Gawin nating modelo ang pamayanan (I hope that this ‘Linis Bayan’ will be a regular activity of drug surrenderers in Talisay, Batangas. Let’s make our community a model),” he said.

“Magtulungan tayo na palakasin ang pamilya at komunidad para makausad and ating bayan (Let us work together in strengthening our family and the community so our nation could move forward),” Asec. Hernandez added.

Presidential Adviser for Southern Luzon Dennis Hernandez likewise called for unity in helping drug surrenderers to bounce back to their normal lives.

“Yakapin natin ang mga drug surrenderers. Tulungan natin silang bumalik sa lipunan upang mapakinabangan sila ng bayan (Let us help drug surrenderers to return to the community so they can be of use to the country),” he said.

For his part, Mayor Natanauan underscored the efforts of the LGU of Talisay to support the government’s war on drugs. He encouraged the drug surrenderers present during the event to work hand-in-hand with the LGU.

DSWD Information drive

Meanwhile, to increase awareness of the different DSWD programs and services, the DSWD Social Marketing Service (SMS), together with FO IV-A, conducted an information drive in Talisay town proper during the community clean-up drive.

Headed by Dir. Espejo, the group of information officers distributed information, education, and communication (IEC) materials to the residents of the barangay.

The information drive aims to educate poor Filipinos of the programs and services that the DSWD provides. Conducted on a regular basis, it is a way to reach the poor, as mandated by Sec. Taguiwalo. ###