Only in Baguio: Where former drug users are training to become professional boxers.

Baguio City, - Not all drug users end up killed on the street, some of them are in jail, some of them are hiding and some of them are turning their lives around through boxing.

Boxing has long been known to have help those with drug addictions to turn their lives around and make changes in their ways. Some of the famous boxers in the world including Tyson and Manny Pacquiao were known to have used illegal drugs before becoming a world champion.

In Baguio, seven drug surrendees took the challenge to be trained to become a boxer and prove that there are better things to do in life than drugs.

A boxing tournament dubbed "Boxing at the Park: Laban sa Pagbabago" set on September 2 at the People's Park will feature amateur bouts  participated by seven drug surrenderees.

This event is organized by the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) in an attempt to help those drug surrendees have a chance to improve and learn something beneficial for themselves and the community rather than ruining their lives with illegal drugs.

Over-all winner in the contest will have a chance to be trained as a professional boxer.

"This could be their ticket in becoming professional boxers someday and hopefully turn their back against drugs," BCPO city director Ramil Saculles said in a report by sunstar.com.

Saculles is optimistic that this initial boxing event will entice more drug surrenders to take up sports.

Boxing coach Tarjhon Mero believes the surrenders have a bright future as he says they are taking up their boxing practice very seriously.

source: sunstar.com.ph/baguio

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Japan government to build state-of-the-art drug rehab center in Baguio

Aerial View of the Drug Rehabilitation Center at Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija. Image Courtesy: asianjournal

Baguio City, Cordillera - The Japanese government revealed its plan of constructing a state-of-the-art drug rehabilitation center in Baguio.

Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan confirmed on Tuesday that the Japanese government is looking for a 3-hectare land to which the proposed rehab center will be put up.

Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary Henry Tong-an has relayed the plan to Domogan after their recent meeting this month.

Domogan proposed the Sto. Tomas Apugan for the building of the rehab center as this area is a property of the government, but suggested however, that the rehab will be built somewhere outside the city if it doesn't fit the building standards of Japanese government.

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"If the city government's property will not pass the standards of the Japanese government, we recommend that the proposed drug rehabilitation center be built outside the city," Mayor Domogan said.

According to the city Engineering Office, the planned construction would require an estimated Php200 million for the construction of an access road going to the proposed Sto, Tomas rehab center.


The Japanese government wishes to help the Duterte government war on drugs  by providing rehab centers that would cater drug surrenderees in the city and from the different parts of the Cordillera who wish to get away from drug addiction and build a new life.

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