Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 1572

Introduced by Representative RANEO E. ABU
Second District, Batangas

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to provide for the establishment of a drug rehabilitation center in every
region in the country.

The Dangerous Drugs Board reported that 1.7 million people are addicted to illegal
drugs in the Philippines. According to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, more than
8,000 barangays or 92% of barangays in Metro Manila are said to be drug-affected. This
leads to drug-related health problems, loss of employment, increase in school dropout,
domestic violence, commission of more crimes, and worse, death. Not only are the numbers,
and reports alarming, drug addiction magnifies greater social dilemmas, which significantly
hamper economic growth and social development.

The current administration centers its campaign on crime suppression and
eradication of the drug trade. For the users, there are existing government and private
sector-operated rehabilitation facilities that offer their rehabilitation programs and services,
but most are inaccessible and definitely expensive. Families in the provinces cannot meet
the cost of placing their drug dependent relatives in private rehabilitation centers,

This bill seeks to broaden the coverage of drug treatment and recovery programs for
drug dependents by establishing a drug rehabilitation center in every region. This bill also
provides for possible cooperation between private people's organizations or religious
organizations and the government, through the Department of Health, for the management
and operation of rehabilitation centers.

The process of rehabilitation is not about treating the physical and mental state of the
drug dependent. It also requires emotional preparation, psychological introspection, gradual
social reintegration, and a post-monitoring mechanism that will ensure permanent self-
rediscovery and continued productivity. This representation respectfully calls for the
immediate passage of this bill to start this comprehensive process of changing lives and
bringing the drug dependents back to their families and community.


Through this bill, drug dependents will have a greater opportunity for rehabilitation
and eventual reintegration to the community. With appropriate public-private sector
partnerships, we can collectively help drug victims get right back on track and pursue life
aspirations that temporarily took a backseat.

Hence, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.


Republic of the Philippines.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. _1572

Introduced by Representative RANEO E. ABU
Second District, Batangas

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

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

SECTION 1. Regional Drug Rehabilitation Center. - There shall be a drug
rehabilitation center in every region in the country which shall be under the supervision of the
Department of Health.

SEC. 2 Objectives and Functions. — Each regional drug rehabilitation center
shall exercise the following objectives and functions
a) Provide care, treatment and accommodation to persons found to be drug
dependants;

b) Train the drug dependent to be physically, psychologically and socially
capable of coping with problems common to peer groups;

c) Facilitate and encourage the dissemination and exchange of ideas and
information on the prevention, care, treatment and control of drug addiction;

d) Provide after-care, follow-up and social reintegration services to enable the
drug dependent to adjust to family and community life after release;

) Provide each drug dependent motivation to regain self-confidence, rediscover
working abilities and develop a sense of responsibility;


f) Encourage the formation of organizations and association composed of
parents, guardians and immediate relatives of drug dependents in order to
raise awareness and enhance their participation in the care, treatment and
rehabilitation of their relatives or wards;

9) Undertake continuous training of the 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) 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. Location of Drug Rehabilitation Centers. - The Secretary of Health
shall, in coordination with the Secretary of Public Works and Highways, determine the
location of each regional drug rehabilitation center taking into consideration the accessibility
of these facilities to most of drug dependents.

SEC 4 Organization. - Each regional drug rehabilitation center shall be
headed by a director and 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

SEC 5. Qualifications. — The director or deputy director must possess the
following qualifications:

a) Atleast thirty-five (35) years of age;

b) A physician of good reputation; and

©) At least five (5) years experience in the care, treatment and rehabilitation of drug
dependents.

SEC 6. Personnel and Staff. - Each regional drug rehabilitation center,
through its director, shall authorized to embark on a five-year development plan in the
fulfillment of the following:

a) Establish additional building facilities equipped with new and modern equipment to
serve and cater to drug dependents of the region;


b) Initiate plans for the development of income generating programs for the ultimate
purpose of generating resources to provide charity services;

©) Provide hospital pharmacy services, free dispensaries and health stations; and

d) Provide educational facilities for interns and graduate and undergraduate students
of medicine.

SEC 8 Government Assistance. — 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 9. Public-Private Partnership. — the Secretary of Health is hereby
authorized to enter into agreements with people's organizations or religious organizations for
the management and operation of regional drug rehabilitation centers at no additional cost to
the government.

SEC 10 Rules and Regulations. - The Secretary of Health, in coordination
with the Philippine National Police, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and Department of
Social Welfare and Development, shall promulgate such rules and regulations as may be
necessary for the effective implementation of the provisions of this Act.

SEC 11 Appropriation. — the amount necessary for the implementation of this
Act shall be charged against the current appropriations for the Department of Health.
Thereafter, such amount as may be necessary for the continues operation of the regional
drug rehabilitation centers shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC 12. 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 13. Effectively. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in a newspaper or general circulation.

Approved