Drug surrenders in Olongo become casket makers

A livelihood training was granted to ten former drug dependents who voluntarily surrendered to the city government of Olongapo. They were taught on how to make caskets, to answer the demand in the market because of the rising death toll in the country brought about by the war on drugs.

Photo by Jonas Reyes

However, the caskets that they will be making are not meant for those who are killed in the crackdown, but rather for the indigent residents of the city. It will be given for free.


“We want to give them a chance to find work rather than use drugs as an excuse to escape their everyday problems, so the city government gave them a solution,” Mayor Rolen Paulino said.They will be provided with other options, like making eco-bags since the city is currently implementing a no-plastic policy.

“Change should start within us,” one of the surrenderers, Angelito Caparas, said. He hopes that he and the other surrenderers would be good examples to others who were also dependent on drugs. ASCS

Source: Manila Bulletin

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