d
NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
F/rst Regular Session
\ s>ntate
' of t!»c
*22 AUG-1 PI 24
SEN
S. No.
Introduced by Senator Grace Poe
AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE DRUG REHABILITATION PROGRAMS OF THE 
GOVERNMENT, AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9165 
OTHWERISE KNOWN AS THE "COMPREHENSIVE DANGEROUS DRUGS ACT 
OF 2002", AS AMENDED, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREOF, AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
In 2021, there were about 41.5 thousand reported cases involving illegal 
drugs in the Philippines, majority of which were reported by the National Capital 
Region's (NCR) regional police office.1 However, the huge volume of drug users who 
have surrendered has exposed our lack of drug rehabilitation centers. To quote a 
recent Manila Bulletin report: "As the number of drug dependents surrendering to 
authorities continues to spike, the government is now faced with the problem of 
where to place them as the number of existing rehabilitation centers cannot 
accommodate them all at the same time."2
The shortage of drug rehabilitation centers is a major problem that merits 
immediate action. Approaching the illegal drug problem purely through the lens of 
criminal law and prosecution is not effective. Our criminal and justice systems are 
reformative in nature. Thus, the construction of additional rehabilitation centers Is 
necessary to ensure that those who have surrendered will not go back to drug use 
and dependence. We should not only destroy shabu laboratories but also reduce the 
demand for 5/7<?/7^/through holistic measures.
As a response, this bill seeks to strengthen the drug rehabilitation and 
treatment program of the government. It seeks to amend Republic Act No. 9165, 
otherwise known as the "Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002'', and 
introduces the following amendments, among others:
1 https://www.statista.com/statistics/1171104/philippines-crime-incidents-involving-drugs-by-region/
2 Terrazola, V.E. “More rehab centers needed as drug addicts surrender by the dozen every day”
Manila Bulletin (07/08/16). Retrieved from http://vvvv\v.mb.com.oh/more-rchab-centers-needed-as-drug-addicts- 
surrender-bv-the-dozcn-everv-dav/
1


1. Establish Department of Health (DOH)-administered drug 
rehabilitation centers in every province and highly urbanized city in 
the country, and providing for adequate organization and staffing 
for such;
2. Expand the duties and powers of the DOH with regard to the 
regulation and administration of drug rehabilitation centers; and
3. Create a benefit package for the rehabilitation and detoxification of 
drug users under the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation.
In order to help the administration's anti-drug campaign, speedy approval of 
this measure is eagerly sought.
GRACE PO


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
Senate
of tlif
H AUG “1 PI :24
S. No
Introduced by Senator Poe
AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE DRUG REHABILITATION PROGRAMS OF THE 
GOVERNMENT, AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9165 
OTHWERISE KNOWN AS THE "COMPREHENSIVE DANGEROUS DRUGS ACT 
OF 2002", AS AMENDED, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREOF, AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Phiiippines in 
Congress assembied:
1 
Section 1. Section 75, Article VIII or Republic Act No. 9165 is hereby
2 
amended to read as follows:
3 
"Section 75. Treatment and Rehabiiitation Centers. - The
4 
existing treatment and rehabilitation centers for drug dependents
5 
operated and maintained by the NBI and the PNP shall be operated,
6 
maintained and managed by the DOH in coordination with other
7 
concerned agencies. For the purpose of enlarging the network of
8 
centers, the Board through the DOH, shall encourage, promote or
9 
whenever feasible, assist or support in the establishment, operations
[0 
and maintenance of private centers which shall be eligible to receive
11 
grants, donations or subsidy from either government or private
12 
sources. It shall also support the establishment of government-
13 
operated regional treatment and rehabilitation centers. [Depending
14 
upon the availability of fundsr]
15 
The national government, through its appropriate agencies shall give
16 
priority funding for the increase of subsidy to existing government drug
17 
rehabilitation centers, and shall establish at least one (1) DOH-
1


1 
ADMINISTERED drug rehabilitation center in each province[7] AND
2 
HIGHLY URBANIZED CITY IN THE COUNTRY [depending on the
3 
availability of funds]
4 
Sec. 2. A new Section 75(A) is hereby inserted under Article VIII of Republic
5 
Act No. 9165 and shall read as follows:
6 
"SECTION 75-A. FUNCTIONS OF DRUG REHABILITA TION
7 
CENTERS. - DRUG REHABILITATION CENTERS, 
WHETHER
8 
PRIVATE 
OR PUBLIC, SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING
9 
FUNCTIONS:
10 
(A) 
TO 
PROVIDE AFFORDABLE, ACCESSIBLE,
11 
EVIDENCE-BASED TREATMENT, ACCOMMODATION,
12 
AND GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING SERVICES TO
13 
PERSONS FOUND TO BE DRUG USERS;
14 
(B) 
TO ENSURE THAT DRUG USERS WILL NOT GO
15 
BACK INTO DRUG USE AND DEPENDENCE;
16 
(C) 
TO EMPOWER DRUG USERS TO REGAIN THEIR
17 
SELF-CONFIDENCE AND UNDERSTAND THE
18 
NEGATIVE PHYSICAL AND SOCIAL IMPACTS OF
19 
SUBSTANCE ABUSE;
20 
(D) 
TO 
INVOLVE FAMILIES AND COMMUNITY
21 
MEMBERS IN THE REHABILITATION OF DRUG USERS
22 
SO AS TO FACILITATE THE MENDING OF SOCIAL
23 
BONDS WHICH HAVE BEEN DESTROYED DUE TO
24 
LONG SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND PROVIDE A SUPPORT
25 
NETWORK FOR DRUG USERS BEYOND THE
26 
TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION PERIOD; AND
27 
(E) 
TO PROVIDE AFTER-CARE, FOLLOW-UP, AND
28 
SOCIAL REINTEGRATION SERVICES TO ENABLE A
29 
PREVIOUS DRUG DEPENDENT TO ADJUST TO FAMILY
30 
AND COMMUNITY LIFE AFTER HIS RELEASE."
31


1 
Sec. 3. A new Section 75(B) is hereby inserted under Article VIII of Republic
2 
Act No. 9165 and shall read as follows:
3 
"SECTION 75(B). ORGANIZATION AND STAFFING- EACH
4 
CENTER SHALL BE HEADED BY ONE DIRECTOR TO BE
5 
ASSISTED BY AT LEAST THREE (3) ASSISTANT DIRECTORS
6 
FOR OUTPATIENT OR INPATIENT CARE, ADMINISTRATION
7 
AND FINANCE, DEPENDING ON SERVICE TYPE AND CAPACITY,
8 
WHO SHALL ALL BE APPOINTED BY THE SECRETARY OF
9 
HEALTH. THE DIRECTOR AND DEPUTY DIRECTORS SHALL
10 
HAVE THE GENERAL POWERS EXERCISED BY A CHIEF AND
11 
ASSISTANT CHIEFS, RESPECTIVELY, OF A GOVERNMENT
12 
HOSPITAL.
13 
NO PERSON SHALL BE APPOINTED DIRECTOR OR
14 
DEPUTY DIRECTOR UNLESS HE OR SHE IS A CITIZEN AND
15 
RESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES; A PHYSICIAN OF GOOD
16 
.STANDING WITH AT LEAST THREE (3) YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
17 
IN THE CARE, TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION OF DRUG
18 
USERS; AND MUST NOT HAVE BEEN A CANDIDATE FOR ANY
19 
ELECTIVE NATIONAL OR LOCAL OFFICE IN THE IMMEDIATELY
20 
PRECEDING ELECTIONS, WHETHER REGULAR OR SPECIAL.
21 
THE DOH MAY ISSUE ADITIONAL GUIDELINES ON THE
22 
QUALIFICATIONS OF THE DIRECTORS OF CENTERS PURSUANT
23 
TO SECTION 76 (10) OF THIS ACT.
24 
THE DIRECTOR SHALL APPOINT OTHER STAFF AS MAY
25 
BE NECESSARY SUBJECT TO GUIDELINES ISSUED PURSUANT
26 
TO ARTICLE VIII, SECTION 76 (10) OF THIS ACT.
27 
THE SALARIES AND EMOLUMENTS OF THE DIRECTORS
28 
AND ALL PERSONNEL OF CENTERS SHALL BE IN ACCORDANCE
29 
WITH LAWS, AND RULES AND REGULATIONS ON SALARY
30 
STANDARDIZATION."
31


1 
Sec. 4. Section 76, Article VIII of Republic Act No. 9165 is hereby amended to
2 
read as follows:
3 
"Section 76. The Duties and Responsibilities of the Department
4 
of health (DOH) under this Act - The DOH shall:
5 
"(1) XXX
6 
" X X X
7 
"(7) IDENTIFY THE LOCATION, TYPE AND SERVICE
8 
CAPACITY OF THE DOH-ADMINISTERED DRUG
9 
REHABILITATION CENTERS TO BE CONSTRUCTED ON A
10 
CASE TO CASE BASIS, AFTER PRIOR SUFFICIENT
11 
CONSULTATION WITH THE CONCERNED LOCAL
12 
GOVERNMENT UNITS AND COMMUNITIES;
13 
"(8) DEVELOP A WORKFORCE PLAN FOR THE
14 
CONTINUOUS PROVISION OF MEDICAL TOXICOLOGISTS
15 
AND OTHER NECESSARY MEDICAL STAFF;
16 
"(9) PROVIDE TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
17 
TO THE STAFF OF DRUG REHABILITATION CENTERS,
18 
WHETHER PUBLIC OR PRIVATE; AND
19 
"(10) PROMULGATE GUIDELINES ON THE
20 
ORGANIZATION AND STAFFING OF DOH-
21 
ADMINISTERED REHABILITATION CENTERS, IN
22 
COORDINATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET
23 
AND MANAGEMENT AND OTHER CONCERNED
24 
GOVERNMENT AGENCIES.
25 
Sec. 5. A new Section 76(A) is hereby inserted under Article VIII of Republic
26 
Act No. 9165 and shall read as follows:
27 
"SECTION 76-A. BENEFIT PACKAGE FOR
28 
REHABILITATION AND DETOXIFICATION. - THE PHILIPPINE
29 
HEALTH INSURANCE CORPORATION SHALL DESIGN BENEFIT
30 
PACKAGES FOR REHABILITATION, TREATMENT AND
31 
DETOXIFICATION OF DRUG DEPENDENTS AND SHALL ISSUE
32 
GUIDELINES THEREOF. THE BENEFIT PACKAGE SHALL COVER:


2 
(A) ROOM AND BOARD;
3 
(B) SERVICES OF HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS; AND
4 
(C) PRESCRPTION DRUGS, SUBJECT TO SECTION 37 OF
5 
THIS ACT.
6 
Sec. 6. Appropriations. -The amount necessary for the initial implementation
7 
of this Act shall be charged against the current appropriations of the DOH.
8 
Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the continued implementation of this
9 
Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
10 
Grants,, donations, and endowments from domestic and foreign sources,
11 
pursuant to existing laws and regulations, may be used to augment the sources of
12 
funding identified under Article X, Sec. 87 of Republic Act N. 9165. All income
13 
generated from the operation of centers shall be retained by the DOH and shall be
14 
used to augment the centers' Maintenance and Other Operating Expenditures and
15 
Capital Outlay. Provided, that the said amount shall not be used or realigned for the
16 
payment of salaries, allowances and other benefits.
17 
Sec. 7, Impiementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of Health, in
18 
consultation with the Dangerous Drugs Board, the Department of Interior and Local
19 
Government, the Department of Justice, the Department of Social Welfare and
20 
Development,, and the Philippine National Police, shall promulgate the rules and
21 
regulations for the implementation of this Act no later than thirty (30) days after its
22 
effectivity.
23 
Sec. 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act shall be held
24 
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not otherwise affected shall remain
25 
In full force and effect.
26 
Sec. 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, rules and regulations
27 
inconsistent with or contrary to this Act, are hereby deemed accordingly repealed or
28 
amended.
29 
Sec. 10. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect upon its approval and
30 
completion of publication In the Official Gazette.
Approved,