As of last week, the Molo campus of the Technical Institute of Iloilo City (TIIC) began providing livelihood training for 66 drug personalities who previously surrendered to police and completed drug rehabilitation at an Iloilo City community change center.

“After values formation and counseling, we offer them with livelihood skills training so they will be equipped with skills,” explained TIIC-Molo school administrator Ma. Mathilde Octavio. “This will also encourage them not to go back to using illegal drugs.”

A majority will be studying driving, while others have enrolled in welding and massage courses.

Octavio also noted, the rehabilitated individuals will be taking classes alongside regular students.

“This is our way of making them feel the sense of inclusion,” she said. “That is why we require them to take a psychological test, to ascertain whether they are fit to study.”

Earlier this year, 84 individuals who completed drug rehabilitation at Iloilo City community change centers were provided a total P840,000, or P10,000 each, from the Iloilo City Government.

“This is the city government’s way of helping you to start a new life,” said Iloilo City Mayor Jose Espinosa III. “We do hope that you will use this in a good way.”

Iloilo City Health Office head, Dr. Bernard Caspe, noted only beneficiaries who successfully graduated from TIIC qualified for financial assistance./WDJ