On Wednesday, December 28, a total of twenty-nine (29) former Illegal Drug Offenders for Reforms (IDORs) who are now Reformed Illegal Drug Offenders (RIDOs) successfully graduated from the Davao de Oro Transformative Programs Kontra Droga (DdOT-KD). They received their certificate of completion during the Culmination Ceremony at the Activity Hall, Provincial Capitol, proving that they have changed and no longer use illegal drugs.
Of the 62 IDORs, only 29 RIDOs enrolled in the 2nd batch of the program and completed it. The other 33 dropped out, some were arrested, tested positive for illegal drugs, or passed away as a result of accidents, shootings, and other tragedies. The 2nd batch beneficiaries started their intervention last November 8, 2019, during the kick off ceremony at the Social Hall, Provincial Capitol. The delay of the culmination ceremony was due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Governor Dorothy Montejo-Gonzaga, represented by Executive Assistant III Fr. Nick Consencino, stressed to the RIDOs the significance of continuing to abstain and stay away from illegal drugs and setting an example for those people who are still in the situation to also reintegrate into the society.
Assistant Provincial Health Officer/ Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC) Secretariat Dr. Mary Cyril G. Pasaol also underscored to the RIDOs to avoid the people contributing to the triggers for them to go back to the dangerous deeds. She added that the government is always willing to help in improving their quality of life.
Alyas Karen, a RIDO, expressed gratitude in her speech to the local and national government units and various stakeholders for the support provided to change their outlook on life, enabling them to return to the folds of the community and no longer use illegal drugs.
Aside from the Certificate of Completion, the 29 RIDOs also received a TESDA certificate on Mushroom making as well as 25 kilos of rice assistance and an emergency kit.
Further, a total of 58 RIDOs, out of 60 IDORs enrolled in the first batch that commenced on July 5, 2019, also completed the program during the culmination ceremony at the Social Hall, Provincial Capitol on December 19, 2019. This sums up a total of 87 RIDOs that completed the intervention since the program started in 2019 up until this year.
The DdOT-KD program of the provincial government, administered by the PADAC chaired by Governor Gonzaga, is a six-month community-based treatment for Plea Bargaining Cases or IDORs. Such provisions include rehabilitation, reformation and reintegration, through structured activities and sessions including psychosocial interventions, restoring family relationships, spiritual guidance and counseling, among others. (Jaynus Fernandez, Photos by A. Dayao)
