Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH (19th) CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO._______ 
_____________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by REP. JOSEPH STEPHEN S. PADUANO 
_____________________________________________________________________ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Drug abuse and addiction has become a social menace in the country that affects all 
sectors of the Philippine society.  While addiction to some substances is not necessarily 
criminal in nature, such as alcohol and prescription drugs, they still have the same 
detrimental effects with illegal substances if abused. 
Drug dependency is considered as a disease which needs professional intervention 
through rehabilitation.  However, rehabilitation of illegal drug dependents is expensive and in 
the Philippines, a lot of people suffering from drug or alcohol addictions prefer not to have 
themselves rehabilitated mostly for two reasons: the fear of being discriminated by others for 
having an addiction, and the concern to the cost and fees with doubts of whether or not the 
rehabilitation will succeed in taking away that person’s addictions. 
Rehabilitation in privately-owned facilities usually costs Php 10,000.00 – Php 
100,00.00 per month, depending on the facility and the type of rehabilitation that a patient 
may require.  On the other hand, the cost of rehabilitation in government operated centers 
ranges from Php 5,000.00 to Php 10,000.00 a month.  The monthly fees cover the patient’s 
stay, the rehabilitation programs and most often, the day-to-day needs of the person.  In 
government operated rehab centers, daily necessities such as food and water are taken care of 
by the government funding, while in privately-owned rehab centers, they usually charge 
additional monthly personal allowance fees. 
The Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) listed forty-two (42) Drug Rehabilitation 
Residential Centers and three (3) Out-Patient Centers accredited by the Department of Health 
(DOH) nationwide as of 31 December 2012.  Thirty six (36) of the Residential Centers are 
located in Luzon and Visayas, while six (6) are located in three (3) regions of Mindanao.  
Eleven (11) of these Residential Centers are operated by government organizations, four (4) 
by local government units, and twenty-seven (27) by non-government organizations (NGOs).  
On the other hand, two (2) of the Out-Patient Centers are operated by government 
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organizations in Region XI and ARMM while the other one is operated by an NGO in the 
National Capital Region. 
Section 15, Article II of the 1987 Constitution provides that: The State shall protect 
and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them.  
Further, Sec. 11, Article XIII states that: The State shall adopt an integrated and 
comprehensive approach to health development which shall endeavor to make essential 
goods, health, and other social services available to all the people at affordable cost.  There 
shall be priority for the needs of the under-privileged, sick, elderly, disabled, women, and 
children.  The State shall endeavor to provide free medical care to paupers. 
In consonance with the above-cited constitutional mandates, this bill aims to establish 
a more accessible and affordable Rehabilitation Center for Illegal Drugs Users who 
voluntarily submit themselves for treatment in every province of the country.  It provides for 
the collaboration between the provincial government and the concerned government agencies 
for its establishment.  The bill also seeks to make available a comprehensive social 
reintegration program and follow-up for illegal drug dependents to prepare them for re-
integration in the community after treatment. 
This bill was first filed in the 18th Congress as House Bill No. 533 or “An Act 
Mandating the Establishment of a Rehabilitation Center for Illegal Drugs Users in Every 
Province of the Philippines, Providing Funds Therefor, and for Other Purposes” and was 
referred to the appropriate Committee.  However, it was unfortunate that this proposed 
measure was not deliberated further due to various factors.  
In support to our country’s fight against illegal drugs, and as part of our health care 
for all Filipinos, the immediate approval of this proposed measure is earnestly sought. 
  JOSEPH STEPHEN S. PADUANO 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH (19th) CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO._______ 
_____________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by REP. JOSEPH STEPHEN S. PADUANO 
_____________________________________________________________________ 
AN ACT 
AN ACT MANDATING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A REHABILITATION 
CENTER FOR ILLEGAL DRUGS USERS IN EVERY PROVINCE OF THE 
PHILIPPINES, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
Section 1.  There shall be established, through the Department of Health (DOH), 
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jointly with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of 
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Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the concerned provincial government, a 
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Rehabilitation Center for Illegal Drug Users in every province in the country. 
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Section 2.  The Provincial Governor, in coordination with the Secretary of Health and 
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the Secretary of Public Works and Highways, shall determine the location of each 
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Rehabilitation Center for Illegal Drug Users, taking into consideration its accessibility to the 
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residents of remote areas. 
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Section 3.  The DOH, in coordination with the provincial government, shall exercise 
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supervision and control over each Rehabilitation Center for Illegal Drug Users, in addition to 
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the duties and responsibilities of the Department under Section 76 of Republic Act (RA) No. 
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9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.  
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Section 4.  The program for the voluntary or compulsory submission of a drug 
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dependent and other legal processes related thereby shall be in compliance to the provisions in 
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Article VIII of RA 9165. 
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Section 5.  The Rehabilitation Center for Illegal Drugs Users shall provide affordable 
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and accessible treatment and care to persons who committed abuse of illegal drugs and 
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voluntarily submit for rehabilitation.  It shall further make available a comprehensive social 
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reintegration program and follow-up for illegal drug dependents to prepare them for re-
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integration in the community after the treatment. 
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SEC. 6.  Funding. – The funds necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be 
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included in the General Appropriations Act of the concerned government agencies as part of 
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their annual budget. 
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SEC. 7.  Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The DOH, in consultation with the 
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DSWD and the DILG, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to implement the 
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provisions of this Act. 
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SEC. 8.  Separability Clause. – If any portion or provision of this Act is declared 
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unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other provisions 
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not affected thereby. 
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SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations, rules 
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and regulations, or any part thereof which are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repealed 
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or modified accordingly. 
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           SEC. 11. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspaper of national circulation. 
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Approved,  
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