Davao City, June 27, 2023 — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office XI together with the provincial local government unit (PLGU) of Davao de Oro sealed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the adoption and implementation of the Yakap Bayan program, a flagship intervention program of the DSWD for Recovering Persons Who Used Drugs (RPWUDs).

In 2017, the DSWD formulated the Yakap Bayan Framework of Intervention, a cyclical rehabilitation and reintegration framework for the strategic and coordinated provision of services for RPWUDs, their families, and communities. 

The PLGU of Davao de Oro will adopt and implement the framework to their RPWUDs. To capacitate the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) from PLGU Davao De Oro who will execute the framework at the Local Government Unit (LGU) level, concerned personnel from the DSWD FO XI will extend technical help to them. 

After the MOA signing, representatives from the national government agencies (NGAs) and the PLGU Davao De Oro proceeded with the soft opening of the Davao De Oro Special Drug Education Center (SDEC). The SDEC is an initiative of the provincial local government of Davao de Oro to heighten the campaign against drug abuse in the province, especially among the youth. 

Representatives from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) – Davao De Oro, Philippine National Police (PNP) Davao De Oro, and other NGAs were also present. 

In the message of DSWD FO XI Regional Director Atty. Vanessa B. Goc-ong delivered by her representative Mr. Wilfredo Planas, Atty. Goc-ong emphasized the importance of the collaboration between DSWD XI and the PLGU of Davao de Oro. 

“We shall collaborate to strengthen awareness about the ill-effects of illegal drugs and provide aftercare services to assist RPWUDs and their families towards social integration,” Planas delivered. 

Furthermore, the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) of Davao de Oro through its Department Head, Josephine Frasco, explained how the partnership with DSWD XI will help them in implementing the said framework. 

“Our collaboration with the DSWD in implementing the Yakap Bayan Program will sustain and strengthen our efforts on the anti-drug campaign. Through the provision of comprehensive support services, we aim to empower the PWUDs in their recovery journey, promoting their overall health, well-being, and productive reintegration in their respective communities,” Frasco said.

Maagap at Mapagkalingang Serbisyo!

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