TUBOD, SURIGAO DEL NORTE– More Local Government Units (LGUs) in the region have expressed to adopt of the Yakap Bayan Program (YBP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Field Office Caraga.
This commitment was shown after the series of roll-out training conducted by the Department through the Social Technology Unit in coordination with the Capacity Building Section (CBS) on 27-29 October 2021 in San Agustin, Surigao del Sur and 17-19 November 2021 in Surigao City, Surigao del Norte.
The training, which was participated by the representatives from the Municipal/Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (M/BADAC), Civil Society Organizations (CSO), Municipal Link Officers, and Parents Leaders from LGU Tubod, Surigao del Norte and Marihatag, Surigao del Sur, aims to capacitate the LGU in implementing the YBP in addressing the needs of Recovering Persons who Use Drugs (RPWUDs) in their Reintegration Journey.
The YBP, developed by the Department, is a holistic intervention for LGUs in assisting the RPWUDs towards recovery and successful reintegration. It entails the provision of aftercare services such as counselling sessions, health and fitness therapy, spiritual interventions, skills training and capacity-building. This will enhance the well-being and social functioning of the RPWUDs.
During the first day, the topics discussed were the overview of the Yakap Bayan Program; Understanding Drugs, Drug Use and Drug Addiction; and Multi-Disciplinary Team Case Management Practice for RPWUDs. Topics on Engaging and Preparing with Families of RPWUDs, Supportive Environment for RPWUDs, Social Reintegration Services and Monitoring Schemes were the topics discussed during the 2nd and 3rd day.
After the training, part of the LGU Reintegration Team’s action plan is the conduct orientation or seminars intended for the RPWUDs in their respective localities by facilitating their reintegration and equip them with skills needed as they go back to the community.
As a result of the continuous promotion of the agency in adopting the YBP, there are 4 LGUs in the region namely, Tago, Marihatag (Surigao del Sur), Tubod (Surigao del Norte) and Esperanza (Agusan del Sur), have forged a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between DSWD that signifies its full support and provides funds for the replication and sustainability of the YBP in their localities.
