DAVAO ORIENTAL, March 24 (PIA) - Twenty-nine Persons Trading Illegal Drugs (PTIDs) from the Municipality of Cateel and one from the Municipality of Boston have completed the first phase of the recovery program, Project Tulay, on March 19, 2021.

Certificates, special awards, gift packs, and tents from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) were turned over to the first-batch of graduates during the completion ceremony at the Balay Silangan, Sitio Magay, Barangay Don Martin Marundan, Mati City.

"I am thankful for this opportunity and to the government who helped us and treat us like family and believed that we are capable of recovering from addiction so we can be a good example and be a 'godfather' for our community and for the sake of our family," one of the clients named Cyril said.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of JJV Behavioral Management Center represented by Executive Assistant, Mrs. Evelyn Ruth L. Valderrama, congratulated the graduates and encouraged them to "continue building a heart of change for building a good path, gain courage and inspiration from the family in order to fight off struggles and temptations to come."

Project Tulay Head Argel Joseph S. Aventura expressed joy in seeing the real-life transformations brought by the program.

Acknowledging the clients, Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC) Action Officer and Provincial Administrator Art Benjie C. Bulaong said that the PTIDs are considered as the extended family of the Balay Silangan who "bravely admitted their offenses and undergone the process for a better state of life that is free from the influence of drugs."

On March 29, 2021, the PTIDs from the municipality of Baganga are expected to be the next batch of graduates.

Project Tulay is a 12-day in-house clinical intervention designed to give safe space for the PTIDs while providing essential clinical interventions such as psychoeducation, group therapy, motivational interviewing, and cognitive-behavior therapy at Bagong Bahay Para sa Bagong Buhay: A Balay Silangan Reformation and Outreach Drop-in Center.

It is followed by a 1-month Community Based Rehabilitation Program (CBRP) and 6-month Aftercare Program.

The program is done through the collaboration of Local Government Units (LGUs), partner institution JJVBMC and partner agencies such as the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and other concerned agencies.

On February 01, 2021, personalities from the different partner agencies of Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC) Davao Oriental gathered in Balay Silangan Conference Room, Sitio Magay, Don Martin Marundan, the City of Mati to discuss the Community Drug Rehabilitation Program and its implementation. (Jan Vincent Leuterio/PIA-XI and Mark Alvite/PIO Davao Oriental)