Bataan PNP constructs reformation center, the 1st in CL

BALANGA CITY, Bataan – The Bataan Police Provincial Office (PPO) is now on the verge of completing a reformatory center, the first among Central Luzon police provincial offices, to accommodate drug pushers and users who voluntarily turn themselves for rehabilitation to become productive anew and morally upright for the sake of their families.

Police senior superintendent Rhodel Orden Sermonia, Bataan police director, said the Bataan Bahay Pag-asa Reformation Center located inside Camp Tolentino is expected to become operational on the first week of August this year, with an estimated 40 volunteers coming from the eleven towns and this city.

Sermonia said the reformation center is a joint project of Governor Albert Raymond S. Garcia, Bataan PNP and other government and non-government agencies to effectively confront the problem on drug dependency, provide alternative livelihood for the volunteers and render spiritual guidance for them to become God-fearing members of the community.

The balik-loob program is a community based plan to keep people, especially the youth away from the dangerous influences and ill-effects of prohibited drugs that threaten the future and lives of the youth.

Apart from the reformation scheme, the voluntary drug rehabilitation concept is designed to help former drug dependents to regain the respect and to restrengthen family ties and finally get away from illegal drugs, the Bataan police director said.

The drug volunteers would undergo spiritual, psychological and free trainings from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority(TESDA) for about three months in preparation for their eventual reintegration to their respective communities and families. After treatment, they are required to join anti-illegal drugs convenor groups and other civic activities in the province, Sermonia added.