EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. B. No. 
399
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INTRODUCED BY SENATOR CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE "BONG" T. GO
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT AND SUPPORT OF A DRUG ABUSE 
TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION CENTER IN EVERY PROVINCE 
THROUGHOUT THE PHILIPPINES AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Much has been said about the drug menace and its capacity to destroy and 
wreak havoc on the lives of its victims. Measures are being taken to address the 
importance of fighting the proliferation of drug-related crimes. Many such measures 
are directed towards subduing the criminals responsible for these crimes. However, 
the elimination of drug-related crimes is merely one aspect of the two-pronged 
approach that must be taken in dealing with the effects of dangerous drugs. Apart 
from the fight for the nation's safety and security against the menace of illegal drugs, 
attention must also be directed towards the rehabilitation and recovery of its victims.
Drug dependents are victims of drug criminals and syndicates. They are people 
who have been preyed upon by opportunists seeking to 
take advantage of the 
downward spiral that inevitably takes place once drug addiction begins. Thus, drug 
dependents should be treated as victims in dire need of medical, psychological, and 
spiritual help, with a chance of being successfully reintegrated into society as a healthy 
and productive citizen.


While it is true that the current administration has centered its campaign 
against drugs on crime prevention and eradication, it has not lost sight of its duty to 
aid in the recovery of those whose lives have been destroyed by illegal drugs. Despite 
the undoubtedly tough stance of our President Rodrigo Roa Duterte against drug- 
related crimes, he has shown equal concern for the rehabilitation and reintegration of 
drug dependents by directing the executive branch of the government to support the 
establishment of Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Centers. In these places, 
drug dependents can pick up pieces of their lives that have fallen apart due to illegal 
drugs. The administration has not fallen short on its efforts to reintegrate into society 
individuals who have fallen victim to drug abuse or dangerous drugs. Sustainable 
programs of treatment and rehabilitation has always been an integral part of the 
unrelenting campaign against illegal drugs.
Legislative measures are currently being taken to aid in the war against the 
drug menace. This measure, however, aims to show that there is an equally 
passionate desire to address the drug problem on all fronts, even those avenues where 
compassion and care serve as the best weapon.
If we are to completely succeed against the evils brought about by dangerous 
drugs, the fight must not stop with the elimination of drug criminals. Success can only 
be truly achieved once those afflicted are given a chance to win their lives back.
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this b ill^ re b y  is earnestly sought.
SENATOR CHRISTOPI
LAWRENCE "B O N G "T. GO


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
C R nENAT|9 9
S. B. No. 
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INTRODUCED BY SENATOR CHRISTOPHER LAWRENCE "BONG" T. GO
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT AND SUPPORT OF A DRUG ABUSE 
TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION CENTER IN EVERY PROVINCE 
THROUGHOUT THE PHILIPPINES AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House o f Representatives o f the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Creation. — There shall be established, under the supervision of the
2 
Department of Health, a Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center in every
3 
Province in the country, herein after referred to as "Center".
4 
Sec. 2. Objectives and Functions. — The Center shall have the following
5 
objectives and functions:
6 
a) To provide care, treatment, and accommodation to persons found to be
7 
drug dependents;
8 
b) To bring a drug dependent to a state where he is physically, psychologically,
9 
and socially capable of coping up with problems common to his peer group;
10 
c) To facilitate and encourage the dissemination and exchange of ideas and
11 
information on the prevention, care, treatment and control of drug
12 
addiction;
13 
d) To provide after-care, follow-up, and social reintegration services to enable
14 
a drug dependent to adjust to family and community life after his release;
15 
e) To provide each drug dependent the motivation to regain self confidence,
16 
rediscover his working abilities, and develop a sense of responsibility for
17 
himself;


1 
f) To encourage the formation of organizations and associations composed of
2 
parents, guardians, and immediate relatives of drug dependents in order to
3 
arouse their awareness and enhance their participation in the care,
4 
treatment, and rehabilitation of their relatives found to be drug dependents;
5 
g) To encourage the participation of the private sector, non-government
6 
organizations, and faith communities in the rehabilitation and reintegration
7 
process
8 
h) To undertake continuous training of physicians, nurses, health officers, and
9 
social workers on the practical and scientific methods of prevention, care,
10 
treatment, and rehabilitation of persons found to be drug dependents; and
11 
i) To strengthen the emotional and spiritual make-up of an individual drug
12 
dependent by conducting regular guidance and counselling sessions as well
13 
as interdenominational services.
14 
Sec. 3. Site o f the Center. — The Secretary of Health, in coordination with the
15 
Secretary of Public Works and Highways, shall, taking into consideration the
16 
accessibility of the Center to the people inhabiting all cities and/or municipalities under
17 
the jurisdiction of the Province, determine the location thereof.
18 
Sec. 4. Organization. — The Center shall be headed by a Director assisted by
19 
two (2) Deputy Directors who shall be appointed by the Secretary of Health and vested
20 
with powers generally exercised by a Chief and Assistant Chief, respectively, of a
21 
government hospital.
22 
No person shall be appointed Director or Deputy Director unless he/she
23 
possesses the following qualifications:
24 
a) At least thirty-five (35) years of age
25 
b) A physician of good repute; and
26 
c) At least five (5) years of experience in the care, treatment, and rehabilitation
27 
of drug dependents.
28 
Sec. 5. Personnel and Staff. — The Director shall appoint such other personnel
29 
and staff as may be necessary for the effective operation of the Center subject to
30 
existing laws, rules, and regulations.
31 
Sec. 6. Five-year Development Plan. — The Center, through its Director, shall
32 
embark on a Five-year Development Plan for the fulfillment of the following:


1 
a) To establish additional facilities equipped with new and modern equipment
2 
to serve and cater to the needs of recovering drug dependents in the
3 
Province;
4 
b) To initiate plans for the development of income generating programs for
5 
the ultimate purpose of generating resources to provide charity services;
6 
c) To provide educational facilities for interns, graduate, and undergraduate
7 
students of medicine;
8 
d) To establish an informative and far-reaching information dissemination
9 
program that aims to educate the people of their respective provinces about
10 
all the dangers and hazards of drug dependence; and
11 
e) To develop a continuing and effective program, with the end in view of
12 
achieving reintegration of fully recovered drug dependents who can live
13 
peacefully, 
harmoniously, 
and 
productively, 
with 
their 
respective
14 
communities.
15 
Sec. 7. Government Assistance to the Center. — The Secretary of Health is
16 
hereby authorized to call upon any department, bureau, agency, or instrumentality of
17 
the government for such assistance as maybe necessary to achieve the purposes of
18 
this Act.
19 
Sec. 8. Rules and Regulations. — The Secretary of Health shall, within sixty
20 
(60) days from the effectivity of this Act, issue the necessary guidelines for the
21 
effective implementation of the provisions of this Act.
22 
Sec. 9. — The sum necessary for the effective implementation of the provisions
23 
of this Act shall be initially charged against the appropriations for the Department of
24 
Health under the annual General Appropriations Act. Thereafter, such amount as may
25 
be necessary for the continued operation of the Center shali be included in the GAA
26 
for the succeeding years.
27 
Sec. 10. Effectivity. — 
This Act 
shall take effect fifteen (15) days from
28 
publication in the Official Gazette or in any two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,