CEBU, Philippines - To make the Voluntary Submission Program accessible to drug dependents nationwide, the Dangerous Drugs Board is training Parole and Probation Administration officers from the Visayas and Mindanao to become authorized representatives.
The training started yesterday morning at the Crown Regency Hotel in Barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City and will end tomorrow with DDB Chairman Vicente Sotto III serving as guest of honor and speaker during the closing ceremony.
DDB Vice Chairman Paul Clarence Oaminal told The FREEMAN that drug dependents can gain something from the training.
Oaminal said drug dependents may now approach the nearest PPA regional and provincial offices to accomplish their drug dependency examination, court petition, and fulfill their temporary confinement and rehabilitation requirements.
He said the Public Attorney’s Office will also extend legal assistance to drug offenders qualified for voluntary confinement.
Yesterday’s first day of training was attended by over 50 PPA officers from Regions 6, 7, and 8.
The number automatically adds to the 230 PPA officers the DDB had already trained in Luzon.
“Wala na gyuy excuse ang mga addict nga dili ma-rehab. Ang government naninguha g’yud na makatabang nila na ma-rehab,” Oaminal said. — Niña G. Sumacot/LPM (THE FREEMAN)