Pubdate: Sun, 06 Nov 2005 Source: Sunstar Davao (Philippines) Copyright: 2005 Sunstar Contact: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1991 Note: also listed for feedback Author: Brq Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Philippines COUNCILOR LAMENTS LACK OF JOBS FOR EX-DRUG DEPENDENTS THE National Government lacks the goal to create employment opportunities for former drug dependents, according to Councilor Angela Librado-Trinidad. Department of Health (DOH) after care program officer Rustum Fanugao Jr. pointed out lack of employment opportunity as one of the reasons why recovering drug dependents under their care suffer a relapse. Fanugao last week said the public has developed a stigma towards former drug dependents causing them difficulty in finding a job. "Akong pag tan-aw, huyang pa diha ang lokal ug ang ahensiyang panggamhanan kung unsa pagsalo niini," Trinidad said. Trinidad also chair of the Provincial Council committee on labor and employment opportunities, said Thursday that both local and national government could not even address the whole unemployment problem, more so for rehabilitated individuals who are just victims of circumstances in the society. "I think the city is in the process of reviewing policies related to labor, although dapat manghilabot ang city diha, ang gobyerno pud mismo ang manghilabot sa pag ensure nga naay job opportunities ang atong katawhan," she said. The National Government according to Trinidad has left private establishments to handle employment opportunities for the public and what's left to the government is the power and authority to regulate employment only. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo promised 10 million jobs for the Filipinos but this was never realized because more Filipinos are leaving for jobs abroad. - ---