‘Sagop Kinabuhi’

After helping hundreds of Children in Conflict with the Law years ago, this program is aiming to help drug users become free from this menace.

The Sagop Kinabuhi Program (SKP) is the program of the Archdiocese of Davao that catered to the children in Conflict with the Law and has now evolved to SKP 2 to help former drug users. Sagop Kinabuhi means ‘Save Lives’.

Launched last October 7, 2016, SKP 2 started with 37 former drug users from the vicariate of San Pablo who have undergone the 17-week psycho-spiritual and psycho-social formation. San Pablo Vicariate consists of the parishes of San Pablo in Matina, Ascension of the Lord in GSIS Heights, San Isidro Labrador in Catalunan Grande, St. Francis of Assisi in Maa and Our Lady of Lourdes in Bangkal.

Together with the University of Southeastern Philippines and other government agencies, SKP 2 was able to successfully help the pilot batch of Voluntary Submission for Reformation Persons or VSRPs as they call former drug users who have decided to be reformed.

After that, the program has spread to other areas and has become a parish-based formation for former drug users.

As of today, the following are the parishes who have SKP 2: San Antonio de Padua Parish in Agdao, Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish in Bajada, Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Torres St., Ascension of the Lord Parish, Immaculate Conception Parish in Mintal and St. Mary of the Perpetual Rosary Parish in Buhangin.

“The family is an important factor that will help a drug user change for the better and the community, and the Church will also help in the after-care of the individual,” said Sr. Ma. Marissa Arado, TDM Coordinator of the Archdiocesan Social Action Center (ASAC) of Davao who runs the SKP 2.

She added that the family plays an important role especially if the drug user is a parent.

THE NUMBERS ARE GROWING

According to City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (CADAC) Action Officer Mikey Aportadera, there are more than 11,000 drug users in Davao City alone.

During the launching of SKP 2 at St. Mary’s Parish in Buhangin last February 4, he said that the community must work hand-in-hand to fight drug abuse.

After the Holy Mass officiated by Auxiliary Bishop of Davao George B. Rimando, 42 VSRPs from four barangays under the jurisdiction of the parish have come to signify their desire to join in the 17-week formation.

“Many still need help. There’s still hope,” said ASAC Director Fr. Leonardo Dublan, Jr.

“Our archdiocese is really concerned with the welfare of our brothers and sisters who want to change,” said Fr. Jesus Samaniego, parish priest of St. Mary’s adding that the parish and the lay leaders have exhausted their efforts to start the SKP 2 in the parish.

SUCCESS STORIES

Last January 28, 17 former drug users of the Our Mother of Perpetual Help had their so-called ‘moving-up ceremony’ to culminate the 17-week formation. The ceremony was done after the Holy Mass celebrated by Archbishop of Davao Romulo G. Valles.

According to Elena Alconabe, Parish Social Action Ministry (PSAM) Coordinator of the Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish, the former drug users have a renewed sense of living after undergoing the formation.

She said that their formation was a success because of the collaboration of the volunteers of the PSAM and the other GKK Servant Leaders (GSL) who have contributed their efforts and the material support of the GKK members.

She added that they also want to make sure that they would not feel outcast once they finished their formation.

In fact, they even invited them during the gathering of GSLs wherein they joined in the games per group, with VSRPs as part of the players together with the GSLs.

She said that this is to promote bonding among them, as they also want to make them feel accepted as reformed individuals.

City Councilor Jimmy Dureza, who was one of their guests has pledged a P 100,000 seed fund for the reformists to have their livelihood program to augment their income from their present jobs.

Since most of them are jeepney drivers and tricycle drivers, they are planning to buy a tricycle unit to be rented out once they receive the said fund.

“We are very happy with the result of their formation. We want to keep this going to help our brothers and sisters whose lives were almost destroyed because of drugs,” she ended.