With
the implementation of the “Yakap Bayan”
program, the Dept. of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) can now fully
assist drug personalities who surrendered to the government.
DSWD Sec. Judy M. Taguiwalo
explained during the recently held forum for those surrendered dubbed
"Rehabinasyon" that Yakap Bayan is a rehabilitation and reintegration
program for drug users and pushers who surrendered to the government which it
will implement within the framework of the Department’s mandate as the head of
the disaster response cluster of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Council (NDRRMC).
With DSWD as the lead, it
implements Yakap Bayan in partnership with different government agencies. The
program consisting of graduated interventions, primarily aim to create
community leaders out of the former drug dependents.
Under the program, the
persons concerned will undergo rehabilitation, empowerment and reintegration
within the communities. The program will also train them to help assist their
communities during disasters.
“Gagawing daluyan ng programa ang mga dating lulong sa droga, upang sila
ay makatulong sa pagpapalakas ng response ng mga komunidad sa disaster at
bigyan sila ng sense of responsibility and belonging,” Ms. Taguiwalo said.
Yakap Bayan will also help in
assisting them “turn their lives around and become productive members of
society.”
“Ito din ay paraan para mabura ang stigma dulot ng pagkalulong nila sa
droga,” the secretary added.
The program’s first stage
features rehabilitation for the first six months.
Ms. Taguiwalo further
explained: “Bibigyan sila ng medical
at social services kabilang ang
detoxification at counseling. Unti-unti
na din silang gagawa ng community service.”
After six months,
interventions for the reintegration phase will begin which will take around 18
months, with the former drug dependents undergoing skills training for
livelihood as well as capacity building especially on disaster response.
As a whole, the Yakap Bayan
program intends to help create a safe society for the new generation.
“Tandaan natin na ang mga drug surrenderers ay mga ama, ina, anak, at kapatid din na miyembro ng pamilya at bahagi
ng ating komunidad. Sila ay mayroon ding kontribusyon sa pagpapaunlad ng
ating bayan,” she added.
The Secretary also appealed
for support to the Yakap Bayan program
“Sana suportahan natin ang Yakap Bayan at patuloy pa itong i-kampanya para matulungan natin ang mga drug
surrenderees na mabago at makapag-ambag
sa lipunan. Ito ang tema ng Duterte Administration—change is
possible. The war against drugs is not just a war to eliminate illegal
drugs but also to assist the drug dependents change and turn a new leaf in
their lives.” (DSWD)
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