LEGAZPI CITY, April 16 -- The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Bicol (PDEA-5) on Tuesday urged all local government units (LGUs) in the region to open Balay Silangan Reformation Centers to provide a humane and compassionate way to former drug users and peddlers to completely turn their lives around.

In a phone interview, Carlo Fernandez III, PDEA Bicol information officer, said the reformation centers give the "right tools" in making the transition into productive members of the community much easier.

"Balay Silangan Reformation Center is one of the requirements for an LGU to be declared as drug-cleared. The agency, through the provincial officers, is constantly in contact with the chief executives, including the punong barangays a...