Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. HARRIS CHRISTOPHER M. ONGCHUAN 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
In 2019, the Dangerous Drugs Board conducted a survey on the drug 
dependency of Filipinos. It showed that around 1.67 million Filipinos aged 10 to 69 
are drug users. It is therefore important that the issue of drugs and the rehabilitation 
of dependents be seen as an issue in the Philippines. 
The World Health Organization classifies drug dependence to individuals 
who, “have developed a dependency syndrome in using psychoactive substances - 
substances that affected mental process.” According to experts from the Philippine 
Psychiatric Association, the issue of drug dependence must be seen as a health 
problem and not a criminal one. 
The purpose of this measure is to establish drug rehabilitation centers in every 
region. With the State ensuring equal access to quality and affordable healthcare, this 
measure complements the bill filed by this representative to build Mental Health 
Centers in every region. 
In the 18th Congress, this bill was filed by Rep. Cabochan and Farinas. 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of the bill is earnestly sought. 
HARRIS CHRISTOPHER M. ONGCHUAN 
August 30, 2022
8:02 am
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 Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _____ 
Introduced by Representative 
HARRIS CHRISTOPHER M. ONGCHUAN 
AN ACT  
PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A DRUG REHABILITATION 
CENTER IN EVERY REGION AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Regional Drug Rehabilitation Center. — There shall be a drug 
rehabilitation center in every region in the country which shall be under the 
supervision of the Department of Health. 
SECTION 2. Objectives and Functions. — Each regional drug rehabilitation center 
shall exercise the following objectives and functions: 
a) Provide care, treatment and accommodation to persons funds to be drug
dependents;
b) Train the drug dependent to be physically, psychologically and socially capable of
coping with problems common to peer groups;
c) Facilitate and encourage the dissemination and exchange of ideas and information
on the prevention, care, treatment and control of drug addiction;
d) Provide after-care, follow-up and social reintegration services to enable the drug
dependent to adjust to family and community life after release;
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e) 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 association 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 
rehabilitation of persons founds to be drug dependents; 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. 
 
SECTION 3. Location of Drug Rehabilitation Centers. — The Secretary of Health 
shall, in coordination with the Secretary of Public Works and Highways, determine 
the location of each regional drug rehabilitation center taking into consideration the 
accessibility of these facilities to most of drug dependents. 
SECTION 4. Organization. - Each regional drug rehabilitation center shall be headed 
by a director and 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. 
SECTION 5. Qualifications. — 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. 
SECTION 6. Personnel and Staff. - The director shall appoint such other personnel 
and staff as may be necessary for the effective operation of the regional drug 
rehabilitation center subject to existing laws, rules, and regulations. 
 
SECTION 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 facilities for interns and graduate and undergraduate 
students of medicine. 
SECTION 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. 
SECTION 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. 
SECTION 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. 
SECTION 11. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the implementation of this 
Act shall be charged against the current appropriations for the Department of Health. 
Thereafter, such amount as may be necessary for the continued operation of the 
regional drug rehabilitation centers shall be included in the annual General 
Appropriations Act. 
SECTION 12. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and 
regulations, and other issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the 
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 13. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in a newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved.