Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. __ 4132

Introduced by Representative Eric D. Singson

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to provide for the establishment of drug rehabilitation centers in the
regions, provinces, cities and municipalities throughout the country.

Section 15, Article II of the Constitution provides that: “The State shall protect
and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among.
them.”

The problem of illegal drugs is a grave threat to our country. Drug addiction and
abuse is a national crisis and it has penetrated almost all sectors and levels of our society
including business, government, law enforcement agencies and most specially the poor
and under-privileged. There is a great need for support services like building of new
facilities that can cater to about 15,000 or more drug dependents. The country only has 20
existing rehab centers with a capacity to treat only 5,000 patients. The Dangerous Drug
Board estimates that there are 1.8 million drug dependents in our country and one (1)
percent or 18,000 need in-house treatment. This number is expected to triple next year.
‘Therefore an all out effort on the part of government is required and local government
units could greatly help.

In support of the new administration’s intensified campaign against criminality
and illegal drug use, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

ERIC D. SINGSON


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 4132

Introduced by Representative Eric D. Singson

N ACT

PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A DRUG REHABILITATION
CENTER 1 EVERY REGIONAL, PROVINCIAL, DISTRICT, CITY AND
MUNICIPAL HEALTH CENTER AND APPROPRIA FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Drug Rehabilitation Centers. — There shall be a drug rehabilitation

center in every Regional, Provincial, District, City and Municipal Health Center.

SEC. 2. Objectives and Functions. — Drug rehabilitation centers shall exercise the

following objectives and functions:

a) Provide care, treatment and accommodation to persons found to be drug
dependents;
b

‘Train the drug dependent to be physically, psychologically and socially
capable of coping with problems common to peer groups;

©

Facilitate and encourage the dissemination and exchange of ideas and
information on the prevention, care, treatment and control of drug addiction;
d

Provide afier-care, follow-up and social reintegration services to enable the
drug dependent to adjust to family and community life after release:

©

Provide each drug dependent motivation to regain self-confidence, rediscover
working abilities and develop a sense of responsibility:

f) Encourage the formation of organizations and associations composed of
parents, guardians and immediate relatives of drug dependents in order to raise
awareness and enhance their participation in the care, treatment and

rehabilitation of their relatives or wards:


g) Undertake continuous training of the physicians, nurses, health officers and
social workers on the practical and scientific methods of prevention, care,

treatment and rehabili

ation of persons found to be drug dependent; and
h) Strengthen the emotional and spiritual make-up of an individual drug
dependent by conducting regular guidance and counseling sessions as well as

interdenominational church services.

SEC. 3. Location of Drug Rehabilitation Center. — Drug Rehabilitation Centers
shall be located within the Regional, Provincial, District Health Centers. If no space can
be allocated, the location must be near these health centers, taking into consideration the
accessibility of these facilities to the doctors already assigned to these Health Centers.

City and Municipal Health Centers shall provide support rehabilitation services

especially to those needing only minor rehabilitation.

SEC. 4. Organization. Each regional drug rehabilitation center shall be headed by
a director and the two (2) deputy directors who shall be appointed by the Secretary of
Health and vested with powers generally exercised by a chief and assistant chiefs,

respectively, of a government hospital.

SEC. 5. Qualification. The director or deputy director must possess the following,
qualifications:

a) At least thirty-five (35) years of age:

b) A physician of good reputation; and

c) At least five (5) years experience in the care, treatment and rehabilitation of

drug dependents.

SEC. 6. Personnel and Staff. The director shall appoint such other personnel and
staff as may be necessary for the effective operation of the drug rehabilitation centers

subject to existing laws, rules and regulations.

SEC. 7. Five-Year Development Plan. Each regional drug rehabilitation center,
through its director, shall be authorized to embark on a five-year development plan in the
fulfillment of the following.

a) Establish additional building facilities equipped with new and modern

equipment to serve and cater to drug dependents of the region;


b) Initiate plans for the development of income generating programs for the
ultimate purpose of generating resources to provide charity services;
c) Provide hospital pharmacy services, free dispensaries and health stations; and

d) Provide educational facil

ies for interns and graduate and undergraduate

students of medicine.

SEC. 8. Government Assistance. The Secretary of Health is hereby authorized to
call upon any department, bureau, agency or instrumentality of the government for such

assistance as may be necessary to effectively implement this Act.

SEC. 9. Public-Private Partnership. The Secretary of Health is hereby authorized
to enter into agreements with people’s organizations or religious organizations for the
management and operation of regional drug rehabilitation centers at no additional cost to

the government.

SEC. 10. Rules and Regulations, The Secretary of Health, in coordination with
the Philippine National Police, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and Department of
Social Welfare and Development, shall promulgate such rules and regulations as may be

necessary for the effective implementation of the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 11. Appropriations. The amount necessary for the implementation of this
Act shall be charged against the current appropriations for the Department of Health, if
possible from its allocation from Section 288(C) of Republic Act 10351 otherwise known
as the Sintax Law. Thereafter, such amount as may be necessary for the continued
operation of the regional, provincial, city or municipal drug rehabilitation centers shall be

included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 12. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations, and other issuances or parts there of which are inconsistent with the

provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SEC. 13. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,