Mayor Bernadette Baroña congratulated the 19 drug surrenderee graduates of Balay Silangan Reformation Program on November 27, 2018, at the Evacuation Center Borokibok Spring Resort, Bucay.

The graduates also received skills training certificates for haircutting and body massage from Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

During the event, a graduate sharing Bruce Lee’s quote, “Mistakes are always forgivable if one has the courage to admit them”. He said that his love for his family inspired him to finish the one-month reformation program.

According to Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Cordillera Administrative Region (PDEA-CAR) Regional Director Edgar Sadivar Apalla, the graduates’ names will be removed from the watchlist but are still included in the suspect list. Implementing the anti-drug program transforms the life of a drug surrenderee.

Abra PPO Provincial Director Wilson Soliba encouraged the graduates to change and make good use of the skills they gained from the training. Soliba also emphasized that to start a new life, you have to help your self first.

Mayor Baroña mentioned that the graduates can be volunteers for the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC) since they were trained in Basic Life Support and First Aid Training and Wasar, Mosar, Firefighting, and Ropemanship by BFP-Bucay.