Drug Surrenderers Complete Reflexology Course

Thirty drug ‘surrenderers’ from Manambong Sur receive applause during the completion rites in September 15, 2016 for the reflexology course they took under a TESDA-certified trainer. The livelihood project was an initiative of the Kasama Kita sa Barangay Foundation Inc., and the graduation rites were held at the KKBFI Center in Brgy. Amanperez.

Inspiring messages and greetings were extended to the surrenderers by KKSBFI Managing Director Levin N. Uy, Bayambang Police Chief Cirilo Acosta Jr., Rotary Club of Bayambang Secretary Gloria Valenzuela, and Mayor CTQ through Municipal Administrator Atty. Raj Sagarino.

In his message, Levin Uy said that our past mistakes cannot be undone, but the good news is we can write a new chapter in our life in order to have a happy ending. He then related the success story of one ex-surrenderer who now earns P150-200 per client as a TESDA-certified reflexologist. You can even use your skill to find work abroad, he said.

PSupt. Acosta took the opportunity to inform everyone that “there are 525 surrenderers as of today.” “I am proud of you because you have chosen the right path. I hope you continue on with that choice.”

“We have only four months left to make every barangay to be drug-free. The PNP cannot do it alone. We need your cooperation, the LGU…” he said.

For her part, Atty. Sagarino told this batch of graduates that they were lucky to have an NGO like KKSBFI and commended how a Drug Council created by the LGU is holistic in that it is community-based and works at the grassroots level in helping turn the surrenderers into productive members of society.

In their testimonies, the drug surrenderers were profuse in expressing their gratitude to the heads of all organizations involved in the project, and in particular to their resident trainor and assessor, Ms. Cristina G. Reyes of TESDA who is also an entrepreneur. Reyes herself was overcome with joy as she presented the graduates and confirmed their completion of the course through the awarding of certificates.

An intermission number by the Pak Ganern Boys followed. Dancing to Bruno Mars’ “So High,” they injected the afternoon event with a good dose of fun and laughter.

In her closing message, Rotary Club Secretary Gloria Valenzuela inspired the graduates to continue seeking the path to improvement not just for himself but also their respective families.