Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS:
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 5482

Introduced by Representatives Ria Christina G. Farifias
and Rudys Caesar G. Farifias

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to provide for the establishment of a drug rehabilitation center
in every region in the country.

The Dangerous Drugs Board reported that 1.7 million people are addicted
to illegal drugs in the Philippines. According to the Philippine Drug Enforcement
Agency, more than 8,000 barangays or 92% of barangays in Metro Manila are
said to be drug-affected. This leads to drug-related health problems, loss of
employment, increase in school dropout, domestic violence, commission of more
crimes, and worse, death. Not only are the numbers and reports alarming, drug
addiction magnifies greater social dilemmas, which significantly hamper
economic growth and social development.

The current administration centers its campaign on crime suppression and
‘eradication of the drug trade. For the users, there are existing government and
Private sector-operated rehabilitation facilities that offer their rehabilitation
programs and services, but most are inaccessible and definitely expensive.
Families in the province cannot meet the cost of placing their drug dependent
relatives in private rehabilitation centers.

This bill seeks to broaden the coverage of drug treatment and recovery
Programs for drug dependents by establishing a drug rehabilitation center in
every region. This bill also provides for possible cooperation between private
people's organizations or religious organizations and the government, through


the Department of Health, for the management and operation of rehabilitation
centers.

The process of rehabilitation is not just about treating the physical and
mental state of the drug dependent. It also requires emotional preparation,
psychological introspection, gradual social reintegration, and a post-monitoring
mechanism that will ensure permanent selfrediscovery and continued
productivity. This representation respectfully calls for the immediate passage of
this bill to start this comprehensive process of changing lives and bringing the drug
dependents back to their families and community.

Through this bill, drug dependents will have a greater opportunity for
rehabilitation and eventual reintegration to the community. With appropriate
public-private sector partnerships, we can collectively help drug victims get right
back on track and pursue life aspirations that temporarily took a backseat.

Hence, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

RIA CHRISTINAG. FARINAS RUD’ °G. FARINAS |


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 5482

Introduced by Representatives Ria Christina G. Farias
and Rudys Caesar G. Farifias

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.

SEC. 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;

¢) 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;

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
toraise 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.

SEC 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.

SEC 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.

SEC 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) Atleast 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 regional drug
rehabilitation center 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 facilities 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. 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.

SEC 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.

SEC 13. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,