A total of 34 individuals from Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo, who previously surrendered to law enforcement due to illegal drugs, recently completed drug rehabilitation, a first for the municipality.

According to Barotac Nuevo police chief, Police Chief Inspector Raymond Celoso, the 34 are among the 227 total drug users and dealers to surrender in the town.

He added, 48 initially entered rehabilitation, which was administered by the local Community Based-Rehabilitation Program.

Celoso also affirmed another batch of surrendered drug personalities will be undergoing rehabilitation.

Last June, 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.”

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./WDJ