Bacolod City Mayor Albee Benitez led the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between Bacolod City and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region VI to officially launch the Yakap Bayan Program.
The MOA was signed by Benitez, DSWD Region VI Regional Director Atty. Carmelo Nochete, DSWD FO VI- STO Head Russel Pareño, and Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) Head Alma Gustilo.
“One of the reasons we signed this MOA is to ensure that national agencies as well as local governments are synchronized in the campaign against drug problems.”
“This requires collaboration from everyone. One of the reasons we signed this MOA is to ensure that national agencies as well as local governments are synchronized in the campaign against drug problems,” the mayor said.
The Yakap Bayan Program is a community-based model of intervention that helps Recovering Persons Who Used Drugs (RPWUDs) reintegrate into society and sustain their new lifestyle after treatment.
“Let us all pitch in so we can address this major issue.”
“Let us all pitch in so we can address this major issue. This is just the first step,” the mayor added.
It emphasizes aftercare services and highlights the important role of families, communities and local government units in supporting their recovery journey.
Supporting RPWUDs requires a collective effort. It’s important to end the stigma associated with the term “addict” and instead refer to them as Recovery Persons Who Used Drugs.
