The Mandaue City Government will formally open Balay Silangan on July 28, providing a dedicated facility for court-referred persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) who will undergo drug intervention and rehabilitation programs.
City Administrator Atty. Gonzalo Malig-on Jr. said Tuesday, July 21, that the facility in Barangay Basak is now ready for operations after the city government completed the needed logistical requirements and assigned personnel to manage its programs.
Malig-on said the facility had remained unused under the previous administration despite the completion of its building, prompting the current city government to prioritize its operation.
“Last year sa pag-assume sa bag-ong administration, usa na sa na-present nga nasayangan ang mayor (Thadeo Jovito ‘Jonkie’ Ouano) kay naay na-construct nga building pero wala maka-operate kay daghan pa og kuwang,” Malig-on said in an interview.
He said the city spent the past months addressing the remaining requirements, including the deployment of technical personnel, counselors, and trained staff who will oversee the intervention and rehabilitation activities.
“We are happy to announce that karong July 28 ma-open na gyud na siya nga facility nga wala ma-open sa niaging tuig. As I’ve said, it’s just a building; karon ma-open na gyud siya,” Malig-on said.
The city administrator said Balay Silangan will serve as a rehabilitation and intervention center for individuals ordered by the courts to undergo programs related to illegal drug cases.
“Anha na diha ibutang pero kato rang naay order sa court,” he said.
Malig-on clarified that the facility will not accept walk-in participants and will only accommodate court-referred individuals.
The facility has a capacity of around 20 to 30 PDLs at a time and will provide services aimed at helping participants undergo intervention before their eventual reintegration into the community.
The opening of Balay Silangan is expected to strengthen Mandaue City’s local anti-drug campaign by providing a permanent venue for rehabilitation services instead of relying solely on other facilities.
Comments