FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PIDLIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
) 
) 
S. No. 417 
Introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill seeks to establish a drug rehabilitation center in every region in the country. 
The illegal drug menace is now considered public enemy number one allover the world. 
It is a problem which 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 be~omes another Colmnbia. 
Several government agencies envisioned to lead the government's total war against 
dangerous drugs had been created. Laws were passed to encourage the paJticipation of 
the local government units in both the prevention and control of the illegal drug menace. 
In short, our concern is how to eradicate or prevent the spread of illicit drug traffic in the 
countly. 
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 valuable member 
of society. In this light, the government should direct its national progrmns to promote 
aJld sustain the treatment and rehabilitation of victims of drug abnse, 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 fmnily and community life is one way of helping a sick person become a 
productive part 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 tramua brought about by dangerous drugs. Hence, approval 
of this bill is earnestly recommended. 
. .ill 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
) 
) 
~~)No. 417 
Introduced by Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF 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: 
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SECTION 1. Creation. - There shall be established, under the supervision of the 
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Department of Health, a Drug Rehabilitation Center in every region of the country, 
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hereinafter referred to as the Center. 
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SEC. 2. Objectives and Functiolls. - The Center shall have the following 
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objectives and functions: 
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(a) To provide care, treatment and accommodation to persons found to be drug 
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dependents; 
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(b) To bring a drug dependent to a state where he is physically, psychologically 
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and socially capable with problems common to his peer group; 
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(c) To facilitate and encourage the dissemination and exchange of ideas and 
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information on the prevention, care, treatment and control of drug addiction; 
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(d) To provide after-care, follow-up and social reintegration services to enable a 
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drug dependent to adjust to family and community life after his release; 
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(e) To provide each drug dependent motivation to regam self-confidence, 
rediscover his working abilities and develop a sense of responsibility for 
himself; 
(I) To encourage the formation of organization 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; and 
(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 services. 
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SEC. 3. Site of tI,e Center. - The Secretary of Health in coordination with the 
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Secretary of Public Works and Highways shall, taking into consideration the accessibility 
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ofthe Center to its clientele, determine the location thereof. 
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SEC. 4. Organization. - The Center shall be headed by a Director to be assisted 
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by two (2) Deputy Directors who shall be appointed by the Secretary of Health and 
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vested with powers generally exercised by a Chief and Assistant Chiefs, respectively, of a 
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government hospital. 
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No person shall be appointed Director or Deputy Director unless he possess the 
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following qualifications; 
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(a) At least thirty-five (35) years of age; 
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(b) A physician of good repute; 
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(c) At least five (5) years experience in the care, treatment and rehabilitation of 
drug dependents. 
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SEC. 5. Persollllel alld Staff. - The Director shall appoint such other personnel 
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and staff as may be necessary for the effective operation of the Center subject to existing 
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laws, rules and regulations. 
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SEC. 6. Five-Year Development Plall. - The Center, through its Director, shall 
lObe authorized to embark on a Five-Year Development Plan in the fulfillment of the 
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following: 
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(a) To establish additional building facilities equipped with new and modem 
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equipment to serve and cater to drug dependents of the region; 
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(b) To initiate plans for the development of income generating programs for the 
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ultimate purpose of generating resources to provide charity services; 
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(c) To provide hospital pharmacy services, free dispensaries and health stations; 
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and 
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(d) To provide educational facilities for interns and graduate and undergraduate 
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students of medicine. 
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SEC. 7. Governmellt Assistallce to the Cellter - The Secretary of Health is 
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hereby authorized to call upon any department, bureau, agency or instrumentality of the 
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government for such assistance as may be necessary to effectively implement this Act. 
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SEC. 8. Rules alld Reguiatiolls. -
The Director of the Center is hereby 
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authorized, with the approval of the Secretary of Health, to promulgate such rules and 
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regulations as may be necessary to secure an effective administration of the Center and 
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the effective implementation of the provisions ofthis Act. 
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SEC. 9. Appropriations - The sum necessary for the effective implementation of 
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this Act shall be charged against th~ appropriations for the Department of Health under 
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the current General Appropriations Act. Thereafter, such amount as may be necessary for 
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the continued operation of the Center shall be included in the annual General 
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Appropriations Act. 
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SEC. 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from its 
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publication in the Official Gazette or in any two newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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