Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Philippines

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2470

HOUSE BILL NO,

INTRODUCED BY REP. MARCELINO “MARCY” R. TEODORO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The illegal drugs menace is now considered public enemy no. 1 all over the world
and poses a grave threat to a country's national security. In our country, it has alarmingly
penetrated almost all sectors and levels of society including the government, business,
and even law enforcement agencies and it may only take a little more time before the
Philippines becomes another Colombia

Several government agencies envisioned to lead the government's total war
against dangerous drugs were created. Laws were passed to encourage the
participation of the Local Government Units in both the prevention and control of the
illegal menace. In short, our concern is how to eradicate or prevent the spread of illicit
drug traffic in the country

We should not, however, forget that a drug dependent is not a criminal but a
victim who is in need of medical and psychiatric treatment and still can become a useful
member of society. The government should likewise direct its national programs to
promote and sustain the treatment and rehabilitation of victims of drug abuse, especially
in the critical after-care and social reintegration stages

Bringing a person back to the state of being where he can successfully cope with
the physical, psychological and social demands of family and community life is one way
of helping a sick person become a useful and productive member of the community. It is
by the establishment of a rehabilitation center in every region of the country that we can
make accessible to every drug dependent medical facilities for a speedy recovery from
the physical and mental trauma brought about by dangerous drugs, Hence, this bill
seeks to establish a drug rehabilitation center in every region in the country.

MARCELINO “MARCY” R. TEODORO

Representative
1st District, City of Marikina


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Philippines

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNo.__2470

INTRODUCED BY REP. MARCELINO “MARCY” R. TEODORO

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A DRUG REHABILITATION CENTER
IN EVERY REGION OF THE COUNTRY AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Creation. - There shall be established, under the supervision of the
Department of Health, a drug rehabilitation center in every region of the country,
hereinafter referred to as the Center,

SEC. 2. Objectives and Functions. - The Center shall have the following objectives
and functions:

A. To provide care, treatment and accommodation to persons found to be drug
dependents;

B. To bring a drug dependent to a state where he is physically, psychologically and
socially capable of coping with problems common to his peer group;

C. To facilitate and encourage the dissemination and exchange of ideas and
information on the prevention, care, treatment and control of drug addiction;

D. To provide after-care, follow-up and social reintegration services to enable a drug
dependent to adjust to family and community life after his release;

E. To provide each drug dependent motivation to regain self-confidence, rediscover
his working abilities and develop a sense of responsibility for himself;

F. To encourage the formation of organizations and associations composed of
parents, guardians and immediate relatives of drug dependents in order to
arouse their awareness and enhance their participation in the care, treatment
and rehabilitation of their relatives or wards found to be drug dependent patients;

G. To undertake continuous training of physicians, nurses, health officers and social
workers on the practical and scientific methods of prevention, care, treatment
and rehabilitation of persons found to be drug dependents;

H. To 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. Site of the Center. - The Secretary of Health in coordination with the Secretary
‘of Public Works and Highways shall, taking into consideration the accessibility of the
Center to its clientele, determine the location thereof.

SEC. 4. Organization. - The Center shall be headed by a Director to be assisted by 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.

No person shall be appointed Director or Deputy Director unless he possesses
the following qualifications.

A. Atleast thirty-five (35) years of age;

B. A physician of good repute; and

C. Has at least five (5) years experience in the care, treatment and rehabilitation of
drug dependents.

SEC. 5. Personnel and Staff. - The Director shall appoint such other personnel and
staff as may be necessary for the effective operation of the Center subject to existing
laws, rules and regulations.

SEC. 6. Five-Year Development Plan. - The Center, through its Director, shall be
authorized to embark on a Five-Year Development Plan in the fulfillment of the following:

A. To establish additional building facilities equipped with new and modem
equipment to serve and cater to drug dependents of the region;

B. To initiate plans for the development of income generating programs for the
ultimate purpose of generating resources to provide charity services;

C. To provide hospital pharmacy services, free dispensaries and health stations;
and

D. To provide educational facilities for interns and graduate and undergraduate
students of medicine.

SEC. 7. Government Assistance to the Center. - 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. 8. Rules and Regulations. - The Director of the Center is hereby authorized, with
the approval of the Secretary of Health, to promulgate such rules and regulations as may
be necessary to secure an effective administration of the Center and the effective
implementation of the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 9. Appropriations. - The sum necessary for the effective implementation of this
Act shall be charged against the appropriations for the Department of Health under the
current General Appropriations Act. Thereafter, such amount as may be necessary for
the continued operation of the Center shall be included in the annual General
Appropriations Act.

SEC. 10. Separability Clause. — Should any provision of this Act be declared invalid or
unconstitutional, the validity or constitutionality of the other provisions shall not be
affected thereby,

SEC. 11. 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. 12. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,