The first Balay Silangan Reformation Center in Negros Occidental was inaugurated in Pulupandan town yesterday.
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-6 regional director Edgar Apalla and Director Donelyn Hemedez, along with Mayor Miguel Antonio Peña represented by Municipal Administrator Federico Infante, and Negros Occidental police director Colonel Romy Palgue, represented by Major Renante Jomocan and Captain Rey Tolosa of Regional Community Affairs and Development Division led the inauguration of the center located at Sitio Pukatod, Barangay Pag-ayon.
Investigation Agent V Nicolas Gomez, PDEA-Negros Occidental head, said the center is expected to be operational early 2021.
The center is intended for drug pushers who surrendered or were released through plea bargaining, Gomez said, adding that these persons may need to undergo one-month inhouse rehabilitation.
The center should have a hall, quarters for male and female, toilets, gardening area, area for recreation and training, among others.
(Glazyl Y. Masculino via The Daily Guardian (TDG), photo courtesy of TDG)