The city government will soon have its permanent Balay Silangan – a drug reformation program for Persons Who Used Drugs (PWUDs).
This was announced during the first quarter meeting of the City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (CADAC) held March 5, 2025.
Ricky B. Ducas Jr., RN, PhD, the Mental Health and Substance Use Unit Program Coordinator under the City Health Services Office informed the CADAC members that the old district health center in Irisan will be renovated into a Balay Silangan facility.
Currently, the facility is being used by the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) but will be vacated this month for the said purpose.
For several years now, the CADAC has been looking for appropriate locations and buildings that can be developed as Balay Silangan but to no avail.
The establishment of a Balay Silangan Reformation Center to transform PWUDs into self-sufficient and law-abiding members of society is part of the national government’s campaign on the war against illicit drugs.
Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong, chair of the CADAC, tasked the CHSO and the CSWDO to fast track refurbishing the building into a Balay Silangan and make it operational by April.
Aligned with this development, the CADAC approved two resolutions for PWUDs relapse prevention activities through an annual post intervention program for Community Based Drug Rehabilitation Program (CBDRP) graduates; and, adopting the strong family program as a drug prevention and supply reduction strategy. – Baguio City Public Information Office
