EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
S E N A T E
S. No. 749
of tl)t e>r(rrtflrp
*19 
JUL 24 All 57
Introduced by Senator Grace Poe 
F. .
AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE DRUG REHABILITATION 
PROGRAMS OF THE 
GOVERNMENT, AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO, 9165 
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "COMPREHENSIVE DANGEROUS DRUGS ACT 
OF 2002", AS AMENDED, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREOF, AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES.
Explanatory Note
As of 9 August 2016, around 1.2 million drug suspects have surrendered as a 
result of the administration's zero-toierance policy on iilegal drugs.1 However, the 
huge voiume 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 ali at the same time."2
The shortage of drug rehabiiitation centers is a major probiem that merits 
immediate action. Approaching the iiiegal 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 wiil not go back to drug use 
and dependence. We should not only destroy shabu laboratories but also reduce the 
demand for shabu \hvouqY\ holistic measures.
As a response, this biii seeks to strengthen the drug rehabiiitation and 
treatment program of the government. It seeks to amend Republic Act No. 9165, 
otherwise known as the "Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act o f 2002" and 
introduces the foilowing amendments, among others:
1 Geronimo, J.Y. “Rehab centers shortage: 100 years to treat drug surrenderees” Rappler (08/09/16). 
Retrieved from http://www.rappler.com/nation/l42511-recto-drug-rehabilitation-shortage
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://www.mb.com.ph/more-rehab-centers-needed-as-drug-addicts- 
surrender-bv-the-dozen-everv-day/


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.


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
S E N A T E
S. No. 749
€ ’-''dKicf of ;U #)i'rrrtarp
*'9 
JUL24 Ail 57
Introduced by Senator Poe
K : .
AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE 
DRUG REHABILITATION 
PROGRAMS OF THE 
GOVERNMENT, AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9165 
OTHERWISE 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 o f Representatives o f the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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 Rehabilitation 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
10 
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 funds;]
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-


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ADMINISTERED drug rehabilitation center in each province[7] AND
HIGHLY URBANIZED CITY IN THE COUNTRY [ depending on the
Sec. 2. A new Section 75(A) is hereby inserted under Article V III of Republic 
Act No. 9165 and shall read as follows:
"SECTION 75-A. FUNCTIONS OF DRUG REHABILITATION 
CENTERS. -  DRUG REHABILITATION CENTERS, WHETHER 
PRIVATE 
OR 
PUBLIC, 
SHALL 
HAVE 
THE 
FOLLOWING 
FUNCTIONS:
(A) 
TO 
PROVIDE 
AFFORDABLE, 
ACCESSIBLE, 
EVIDENCE-BASED TREATMENT, ACCOMMODATION, 
AND GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING SERVICES TO 
PERSONS FOUND TO BE DRUG USERS;
(B) 
TO ENSURE THAT DRUG USERS WILL NOT GO 
BACK INTO DRUG USE AND DEPENDENCE;
(C) 
TO EMPOWER DRUG USERS TO REGAIN THEIR
SELF-CONFIDENCE 
AND 
UNDERSTAND 
THE
NEGATIVE PHYSICAL AND SOCIAL IMPACTS OF 
SUBSTANCE ABUSE;
(D) 
TO 
INVOLVE 
FAMILIES 
AND 
COMMUNITY 
MEMBERS IN THE REHABILITATION OF DRUG USERS 
SO AS TO FACILITATE THE MENDING OF SOCIAL 
BONDS WHICH HAVE BEEN DESTROYED DUE TO 
LONG SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND PROVIDE A SUPPORT 
NETWORK 
FOR 
DRUG 
USERS 
BEYOND 
THE 
TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION PERIOD; AND
(E) 
TO 
PROVIDE 
AFTER-CARE, 
FOLLOW-UP, 
AND 
SOCIAL REINTEGRATION SERVICES TO ENABLE A 
PREVIOUS DRUG DEPENDENT TO ADJUST TO FAMILY 
AND COMMUNITY LIFE AFTER HIS RELEASE."


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Sec. 3. A new Section 75(B) is hereby inserted under Article VIII of Republic
2 
Act No. 9165 and shall read as follows:
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"SECTION 75(B). ORGANIZA TION AND STAFFING- EACH
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CENTER SHALL BE HEADED BY ONE DIRECTOR TO BE
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ASSISTED BY AT LEAST THREE (3) ASSISTANT DIRECTORS
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FOR OUTPATIENT OR INPATIENT CARE, ADMINISTRATION
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AND FINANCE, DEPENDING ON SERVICE TYPE AND CAPACITY,
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WHO SHALL ALL BE APPOINTED BY THE SECRETARY OF
9 
HEALTH. THE DIRECTOR AND DEPUTY DIRECTORS SHALL
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HAVE THE GENERAL POWERS EXERCISED BY A CHIEF AND
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ASSISTANT CHIEFS, 
RESPECTIVELY, OF A GOVERNMENT
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HOSPITAL.
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NO PERSON SHALL BE APPOINTED DIRECTOR OR
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DEPUTY DIRECTOR UNLESS HE OR SHE IS A CITIZEN AND
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RESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES; A PHYSICIAN OF GOOD
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STANDING WITH AT LEAST THREE (3) YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
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IN THE CARE, TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION OF DRUG
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USERS; AND MUST NOT HAVE BEEN A CANDIDATE FOR ANY
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ELECTIVE NATIONAL OR LOCAL OFFICE IN THE IMMEDIATELY
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PRECEDING ELECTIONS, WHETHER REGULAR OR SPECIAL.
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THE DOH MAY ISSUE ADITIONAL GUIDELINES ON THE
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QUALIFICATIONS OF THE DIRECTORS OF CENTERS PURSUANT
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TO SECTION 76 (10) OF THIS ACT.
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THE DIRECTOR SHALL APPOINT OTHER STAFF AS MAY
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BE NECESSARY SUBJECT TO GUIDELINES ISSUED PURSUANT
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TO ARTICLE V III, SECTION 76 (10) OF THIS ACT.
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THE SALARIES AND EMOLUMENTS OF THE DIRECTORS
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AND ALL PERSONNEL OF CENTERS SHALL BE IN ACCORDANCE
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WITH LAWS, AND RULES AND REGULATIONS ON SALARY
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STANDARDIZATION."
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Sec. 4. Section 76, Article V III of Republic Act No. 9165 is hereby amended to
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read as follows:
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"Section 76. The Duties and Responsibilities o f the Department
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o f health (DOH) Under this Act. -  The DOH shall:
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" ( l ) x x x
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" X X X
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"(7) IDENTIFY THE LOCATION, TYPE AND SERVICE
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CAPACITY 
OF 
THE 
DOH-ADMINISTERED 
DRUG
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REHABILITATION CENTERS TO BE CONSTRUCTED ON A
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CASE TO CASE 
BASIS, AFTER 
PRIOR SUFFICIENT
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CONSULTATION 
WITH 
THE 
CONCERNED 
LOCAL
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GOVERNMENT UNITS AND COMMUNITIES;
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"(8) 
DEVELOP 
A 
WORKFORCE 
PLAN 
FOR 
THE
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CONTINUOUS PROVISION OF MEDICAL TOXICOLOGISTS
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AND OTHER NECESSARY MEDICAL STAFF;
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"(9) PROVIDE TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
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TO THE STAFF OF DRUG REHABILITATION CENTERS,
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WHETHER PUBLIC OR PRIVATE; AND
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"(10) 
PROMULGATE 
GUIDELINES 
ON 
THE
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ORGANIZATION 
AND 
STAFFING 
OF 
DOH-
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ADMINISTERED 
REHABILITATION 
CENTERS, 
IN
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COORDINATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET
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AND 
MANAGEMENT 
AND 
OTHER 
CONCERNED
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GOVERNMENT AGENCIES.
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Sec. 5. A new Section 76(A) is hereby inserted under Article V III of Republic
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Act No. 9165 and shall read as follows:
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"SECTION 
76-A. 
BENEFIT 
PACKAGE 
FOR
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REHABILITATION AND DETOXIFICATION. -  THE PHILIPPINE
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HEALTH INSURANCE CORPORATION SHALL DESIGN BENEFIT
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PACKAGES 
FOR 
REHABILITATION, 
TREATMENT 
AND
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DETOXIFICATION OF DRUG DEPENDENTS AND SHALL ISSUE
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GUIDELINES THEREOF. THE BENEFIT PACKAGE SHALL COVER:


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