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Republic of the Philippine:
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Philippines
17™ CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO_ 273

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Thousands of drug dependents in the entire country have voluntarily surrendered to
government authorities since President Duterte’s administration took over--and the
number continues to swell every single day.

In Quezon City alone, about a thousand of drug users have turned themselves in to
police even before President Duterte was sworn as the next president of the country.
They were assured of amnesty upon their surrender. Rehabilitation or counseling will
be provided to help them dissuade from getting back to their old ways.

Quezon City has only one rehabilitation center that caters primarily to its residents
but has a bed capacity of about 150--and this is where the problem began not only in
Quezon City but all the LGUs nationwide.

Several LGUs are now faced with the problem of how to accommodate these drug
dependents who surrendered to authorities as the existing rehabilitation centers
cannot accommodate them all at the same time.

The need to have drug rehabilitation facilities is indeed imperative as it would play a
big role in achieving recovery among substance abusers. This is the starting point of
bringing a person back to the folds of the law. Resident physician in rehabilitation
centers can help in dealing with drug withdrawal symptoms. Medical staff, nurses,
counselors and psychologists can give the complete support the individual needs to
overcome his or her addiction.

This bill seeks to establish a drug rehabilitation center in every region in the country.
This bill was already filed during the several past congresses since the 12”
Congress until the last 16" Congress but this was not acted upon due to the dearth
of funds from the national treasury.

Today, the problem is all the more pervasive, engulfing and mind-boggling and it is
but high time to solve this menace by providing funds for the realization of this bill

Hence, its approval is earnestly sought.
Cybex Vv
EMMANUEL A. BILLONES

Representative
4" District-Capiz

HOUSE WF REPRESENTATIVES



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Philippines
17™ CONGRESS
First Regular Session

2736

HOUSE BILL NO.

INTRODUCED BY REP. EMMANUEL A. BILLONES

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 the 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.

SECTION 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;

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;

To facilitate and encourage the dissemination and exchange of ideas and

information on the prevention, care, treatment and control of drug addiction;

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;

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.

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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. Aphysician 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 modern
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 intems 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 to 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 for the continued operation of the Center shall be
included in the annual General Appropriations 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 or general circulation.

Approved,