The city government, through its Public Employment Services Office (PESO), has partnered with the Department of Health-Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (DOH-DTRC) to provide employment opportunities to former rehabilitation clients here.

“This is to give equal job opportunity to residents of Dagupan who underwent rehabilitation in DOH-DTRC and also to do away from discrimination and give them a second chance in life after what they’ve been through,” PESO manager Joy Siapno said in an interview on Wednesday.

Constituents of Dagupan will be prioritized but clients from other towns and cities will be coordinated to their local government unit’s respective PESO, she said.

“In any manner (that they could get employment) in private companies or if they have the opportunity in government as well as livelihood assistance, scholarship from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA),” Siapno said.

The PESO will also hold seminars to prepare them for employment and give them self-confidence, she said.

Siapno said the list of the first batch of the recipients of this program will be forwarded to them by the DOH-DTRC as they will continue coordinating closely in its implementation.

Mayor Marc Brian Lim, Siapno, and officials of the DOH-DTRC signed a memorandum of understanding for this program on July 5.

The DOH-DTRC not only caters to the rehabilitation of those addicted to drugs but also other substances like alcohol. (PNA)