Munti drug dependentskin to receive scholarship, loan for start-up

DRUG dependent surrenderees in Muntinlupa City get a second shot at life as the city government offers scholarship, zero interest loan assistance for business ventures, among other social services following their submission to local authorities.

Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Office director (Ret) PSSUPT Florocito Ragudo said that the local government with other line agencies and partners will be conducting Second Phase and Second Wave of MAPALAD Drug Surrenderees Program, a follow-up project to drug-affected individuals who presented themselves to the local Police Department.

Ragudo explained that the Second Phase aims to gather drug users who were assessed and identified as Mildly and Moderately Affected for purposes of orienting them on livelihood and other alternative services to be provided for them.

Local social services include: scholarship for kin, employment opportunities, capital seed loan for business avenues, and enrollment in technical-vocational institution.

He added that the Second Phase targets to evaluate future surrenderees and conduct Psycho-social and medical services to drug dependents.

Drug surrenderees for the Second Phase are advised to attend the following schedule: October 7 (9:00am –11:00 am) Brgy. Pavillion, Arandia St., Tunasan; October 11 (9:00am – 11:00 am) Covered Court, Barangay Buli; October 13 (9:00am –11:00 am) Dioko’s Pavillion, Vinalon St., Cupang, October 14 (9:00am –11:00 am)  Covered Court, Baywalk Bayanan; October 18 (9:00am – 11:00 am) Bulwagan Third Floor, Barangay Hall, Putatan; October 19 (9:00am – 11:00 am) Covered Court, Barangay Hall, Poblacion.

For those who are yet to surrender, you may proceed to the following schedule: October 7 (9:00am–3:00pm) Brgy. Pavillion, Arandia St., Tunasan; October 11 (9:00am–3:00pm) Covered Court, Barangay Buli; October 12 (9:00am – 3:00pm) Brgy. Satellite, Southville 3, Poblacion; October 13 (9:00am–3:00pm) Dioko’s Pavillion, Vinalon St., Cupang, October 14 (9:00am – 3:00pm) Covered Court, Baywalk Bayanan; October 18 (9:00am–3:00pm) Covered Court, Barangay Hall, Putatan; October 19 (9:00am – 3:00pm) Covered Court, Barangay Hall, Poblacion.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi supports the crackdown campaign against illegal drugs and pushes efforts for the reintegration of surrenderees to society. Fresnedi advocates not only the arrest of drug personalities but also their rehabilitation as he deems it the key factor in resolving the issue.

As of October 1, 2016, the total number of households visited during the Oplan Tokhang was 7,746 while 2,766 individuals were recorded to surrender.

E-mail address: marioalcala26@gmail.com

CRIMEBUSTER – Mario Alcala