HOLST OF REPRI

2 CEIVE!

Republic of the Philippines REG ED)
Republic of the Philippines pag

House of Representatives ah am
yi ane:__T how

Quezon City

av:
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS g $e

First Regular Session apONi uN

2113

HOUSE BILL NO.

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 concer to the costs
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 PhP10,000.00 —
PhP100,000.00 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 PhP5,000.00 — PhP10,000.00 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 government funding, while in privately-owned rehab
centers, they usually charge additional monthly personal allowance fees.

In its website, the Dangerous Drugs Board 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-governmental organizations (NGOs). On the
other hand, two (2) of the Out-Patient Centers are operated by government
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

NTATIVES


among them.” Further, Sec. 11, Art. XIll 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 the treatment.

In support of the new administration's intensified campaign against criminality
and illegal drugs use, the expeditious passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

JOS) IEN S. PADUANO


Republic of the Philippines
Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
House BLLNo.__ “243

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),
jointly with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the concerned provincial
government, a Rehabilitation Center for Illegal Drugs Users in every province in the
country.

Section 2. The Provincial Governor, in coordination with the Secretary of Health
and the Secretary of Public Works and Highways, shall determine the location of each
Rehabilitation Center for Illegal Drugs Users, taking into consideration its accessibility of
to the residents of remote areas.

Section 3. The DOH, in coordination with the provincial government, shall
exercise supervision and control over each Rehabilitation Center for Illegal Drugs
Users, in addition to the duties and responsibilities of the Department under Section 76
of Republic Act No. (RA) 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous
Drugs Act of 2002.

Section 4. The program for the voluntary or compulsory submission of a drug
dependent and other legal processes related thereby shall be in compliance to the
provisions in Article VIII of RA 9165.

Section 5.The Rehabilitation Center for Illegal Drugs Users shall provide
affordable and accessible treatment and care to persons who committed abuse of illegal
drugs and voluntarily submit for rehabilitation. It shall further make available a
comprehensive social reintegration program and follow-up for illegal drug dependents to
prepare them for re-integration in the community after the treatment.


Section 6. Funding - the funds necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be
included in the General Appropriations Act of the concemed government agencies as part of
their annual budget.

Section 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations- The DOH, in consultation with
the DSWD and the DILG, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to
implement the provisions of this Act.

Section 8. Separability Clause- If any portion or provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other provisions
not affected thereby.

Section 9. Repealing Clause- All laws, parts of laws, decrees, presidential 5
issuances, proclamations, orders, ordinances, and administrative regulations in conflict with
the provisions of this Act are hereby amended, modified or repealed accordingly.

Section 10. Effectivity Clause- This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation,
whichever, comes earlier.

Approved.