Republic of the Philippines :
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVEG>
Quezon City, Metro Manila *

‘THIRTELNTE CONGRESS
Firat Regular fei

House Bill No.

Introduced by Honorable Roque R. Ablan, Jr,

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to establish a drug rehabilitation center in every region
in the country.

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.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo speaking during the National
Anti-Drug Summit ‘at the Manila Hotel said that, "the battle against illegal
drug was no less critical and-no less immediate than the government's war
against Abu Sayyaf banditry, communist insurgency, tertorism and
organized crime. Illegal drugs are much more damaging in the long term
because they gobble the very heart and hope of our country - the youth
Because of illegal drugs, many lives are lost or ruined. Families are broken,
brains are ruined just to give way to the gluttony of the few."

. 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

Fe


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 fram the physical and mental trauma brought

about by dangerous drugs. Hence, approval of this bill is earnestly
recommended,

ROQUE R. AXBLAN, JR.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

THIRTNENTH CONGRESS
iret Regular:

HOUSE BILLNO.__02 -

Introduced by Honorable Roque R. Ablan, Jr.

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ‘ DRUG
REHABILITATIN CENTER IN EVERY REGION OF THE
COUNTRY AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.

fe jenate ise of Representatives of the Philippines
in ress assembled:

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

SEC. 2. Qbjectives 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 counselling 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

possess the following qualifications:
(a) At least thirty-five (35) years of age;
(bv) A physician of good repute;
(c) 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:

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

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

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

4, 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, Effectivity. ~ This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved,