The Cooperative Development Office (CDO) and the Valenzuela City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (VADAC) award the second batch of capital grants to some 30 drug rehabilitation graduates, November 3, 2017 at the Audio Visual Room (AVR), Valenzuela City Hall. 

City Mayor REX Gatchalian said that the awarding of cooperative shares is another way for the city to “help former drug dependents become more productive members of society and keep them away from drugs”. 

Recipients can receive a principal amount of up to Php 10,000 on their first loan and the loanable amount can increase over time. 

The Mayor also shared that not all Tokhang surrenderees were awarded with cooperative shares since some relapsed and failed the mandatory drug test or refused to undergo the drug test six months after their graduation from the rehabilitation program. A number of graduates were even arrested due to illegal drug use and other cases. 

Aside from Mayor REX, several government officials attended the event including 2nd District Councilor Tyson Sy; VADAC District 1 Action Officer, Atty. Bimbo dela Cruz; Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) CAMANAVA Agent Joshua Argyero, Valenzuela City police chief, PSUPT Rolando R. Mendoza and DILG Valenzuela Cluster Head, Ms. Alicia Evangelista. 

Also present during the awarding of certificates are representatives from three of the biggest cooperatives in the city to which the capital grants will be coursed through, namely, Lilian Castelo from San Isidro Labrador Parish Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Lillian D. Silubrico from Holy Cross Savings and Credit Cooperative and Wilma Demafelis from Valenzuela Development Cooperative. 

Awarding of capital grants is part of the city’s after-care program under its comprehensive anti-drug support program, the VC Cares Plus, which seeks to provide sources of livelihood for rehabilitated illegal drug users. The first batch of 60 graduates received their certificates last August 2017.