Think about it
Idyllic drug rehab center
By Jun Velasco
“He that does good to another, does good also to himself, not only in the consequences, but in the very act,” –Seneca
A CATHOLIC prelate made our day when he lifted “Rev.” Manny Pacquiao’s sermon on its “better to give than to receive.”
The priest showed Manny GIVING a K.O. wallop to his opponent, and RECEIVING Juan Marquez’s stunning blow that floored him in their last encounter.
That primer, however, will fall on deaf ears on these young kids in gas stations, frontage of malls and other public places outdoing their peers to greet their prey “Merry Christmas” invoking it’s “better to receive.”
We said last week that their increasing number in the community is a sign of the times in that their parents are actually encouraging them to ply their trade. They are coaching their children to become mendicants.
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Over a cup of brewed coffee at Pedritos, Senior Supt. Rey Biay shaves a powerful strategy to contain the drug menace.
He sees meaningful success in mobilizing the Liga ng mga Barangay headed by Board Member Pogi Espino to root out the problem right on its tracks.
The other day, he was approached by a family with a drug-crazed member who is literally wrecking havoc wherever he goes.
Although he knows the urgency of the problem, the police director invokes the rule of law in dealing with the problem.
There’s a joke going the rounds in drug-infested Bonuan Gueset where the Hall of Justice has a zero rating in convicting a confirmed pusher.
Biay says the Pogi Espino strategy should be given full support—because we are tackling the issue right at the roots—the barangay unit, which is closest to home.
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In case you have preconceived ideas about how a drug rehab center looks like, get the finest “shock” of your life by visiting the facility of Region 1 Medical Center in Barangay Bonuan Binloc, Dagupan City.
It’s being managed by a task force formed by Director Roland Mejia.
A friend who joined us drive Mrs. Cathy Velasco who supervises the inmates’ nutrition program couldn’t help exclaiming, “super pala ito, pare!”
We used to be a media consultant, to a similar center in Quezon City in the 90’s. That Quezon City center—which has a Christian orientation (it was guided by Fr. Larry Faraon) is inferior to RMC’s Binloc facility. At the time, the DDB’s chair was a friend, Rudy Saulog.
We learned from Gonz Duque that after releasing P10 million for the rehab center, Sec. Villar is causing the release of another P5 million for a drug testing facility for the center. We are indeed lucky to have patriotic souls in our midst.
The city, province and region are grateful to President Aquino, the De Venecia couple — former Speaker Joe de V and Rep. Gina — Secretary Bebot Villar, DDB chair; Mayor Belen Fernandez, and the man running it, Director Roland Mejia for this spanking, idyllic facility.
The expression is one addict inside is one dangerous addict out in the community. What’s encouraging is the restore-the-addict program is Christian and love-directed.
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NOTES: Thank you, Bayaw Tats Casupanan and sister Armila for your gift. Don’t expect a return, because the kind act is its own reward.
Merry Christmas to our inaanak, Yuan Junio-Baldueza of Franshen Internet.
Belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!
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