Pangasinan Reformation Center inaugurated for the youth
LINGAYEN – The P12.9 million multi-purpose facility in Burgos town originally built to serve as a drug rehabilitation center in the early 1900s was finally inaugurated as Pangasinan Reformation Center by the provincial government on February 27.
Gov. Amado Espino III, chairman of the Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC), led provincial officials in the inauguration ceremony that was graced by former Burgos Vice Mayor Belen Cabiles and her son, Atty. Aldrin, who donated the two-hectare lot for the multi-purpose facility.
According to Espino, the facility was named a reformation center and not as a drug rehab center because it will provide services not only to rehabilitated drug users and pushers but for the youth needing reformative programs and activities for values formation through spiritual transformation, skills development for livelihood opportunities.
The provincial government provided the funds for the construction of the center’s administrative office and dormitory, mess hall, kitchen, bath house and comfort rooms, facilitators’ quarters, multi-purpose court, power house, guard tower, and perimeter fence.
“It’s a dream come true,” said Espino and thanked the Cabiles family “for their philanthropic deeds, selfless character, and noble desire” in donating the lot for the construction of the reformation center.
He credited his predecessor and father, former governor and now 5th District Representative. Amado T. Espino, Jr. for his vision to have such a center in the province. “This won’t happen were it not for the vision of the previous provincial administration,” he said.
Ex-Vice Mayor Cabiles, matriarch of the Cabiles family, felt gratified that family’s donation created the opportunity to serve and save the youth from drugs which she said, has become rampant until the total war on drugs was launched by the national government.
Cabiles recounted that it was her late husband, the former Mayor Demetrio, who she said was then enthusiastic to donate the said lot to the province during the administration of former governor Rafael Colet to reach out to the victims of illegal drugs.
Vice Gov. Jose Ferdinand Z. Calimlim, Jr. echoed the governor’s sentiments citing the fulfillment of a vision.
“The whole province thanks the Cabiles family for what they’ve donated,” said Vice Governor Calimlim, who underscored the contribution of the multi-purpose facility to the campaign of the provincial government against against illegal drugs.
Also present during the inauguration ceremony were Board Members Generoso Tulagan and Antonio Sison, Burgos Mayor Alberto Guiang, Jr., Provincial Administrator Nimrod Camba, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Director Bryan Babang and Pangasinan PNP Director Ronald Lee. (PIO/MGNO)
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