AS chairperson of the Quezon City Anti-Drug Abuse Advisory Council, Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte on Friday called on residents to help drug addicts and pushers instead of “condemning” them.
Belmonte oversees the city government’s anti-drug campaign in partnership with the local police, barangays, religious groups and the private sector.
“Instead of condemning them, we should help them,” she said.
Through various seminars and counseling, the Office of the Vice Mayor is offering a crash course on baking for drug surrenderers.
QCADAAC is implementing a community-based rehabilitation and treatment program for surrendering drug users—either a 15-session, community-based rehabilitation, counseling, or a six-month rehabilitation in a facility, all at the expense of the local government.
Belmonte said drugs and substance abusers could still be reformed through encouragement and support, both from their families and the government.
She cited the case of two former drug users who were later hired as barangay watchmen under the council’s program.
At least 1,296 ex-drug dependents have graduated from the city’s community-based drug rehabilitation and treatment program.
“From being drug dependents, they are now responsible citizens. They have chosen to take the right path. You see, you just have to give them a chance, an opportunity, to correct their mistakes,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Quezon City Council has passed a resolution allowing a company to construct a parking area in their building in Barangay Socorro in deviation from restrictions posed by the city’s zoning ordinance.
City Resolution 7432-2018, introduced by Councilors Oliviere T. Belmonte and Marvin C. Rillo, authorized the issuance of a Certificate of Exception to Silver Finance for the construction of a four-storey office building with penthouse along 14th Avenue in Barangay Socorro.
The resolution allows the deviation from the restrictions of Ordinance 2502-2016, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance of 2016.
“The applicant shall comply with the provisions of Ordinance 2582-2017 which mandates owners and developers of a building either condominium or office building seeking exemption from parking lot requirements to provide at least a minimum of five percent of the total parking lot/space requirements pursuant to the QC Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance exclusively for the use of visitors, clients or customers,” the resolution read.
“The proposed project will not adversely affect public health, safety and welfare and is in keeping with the general pattern of the development in the community,” it added.