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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
Eighteenth Congress
Second Regular Session

House Bill No: g.7 gq

Introduced by REP. MERCEDES C. CAGAS

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to establish a drug rehabilitation center in the province of Davao del Sur to be
known as Davao del Sur Drug Rehabilitation Center which shall be located in the
Municipality of Digos.

While there is an increasing number of illegal drug users surrendering to the government,
data shows that there are not enough facilities to accommodate them and aid them through
their recovery and rehabilitation.

Davao del Sur has its own share of drug-related problems. It is therefore necessary that the
province of Davao del Sur should have its own drug rehabilitation center. Studies have
shown that illegal substance abuse problems can be treated effectively if only there is an
accessible and affordable treatment facility that would provide the appropriate services for
the people who needs them.

The Davao del Sur Rehabilitation Center aims to provide a continuum of care to the illegal
drug abusers who surrendered by offering broad range of treatment plans that are evidence-
based, including community-based support services, with the help of existing health and
social agencies.

In the long run, its establishment shall pave a way in eliminating the social stigma and
discrimination against illegal drug abusers and supporting their reintegration into society as
healthy and productive members of the community.

In lieu of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is eamestly sought.

MERCEDES “DIDI > kgacas


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
Eighteenth Congress
Second Regular Session

House Bill No: 8789

Introduced by REP. MERCEDES C. CAGAS

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A DRUG REHABILITATION CENTER IN THE
MUNICIPALITY OF DIGOS, IN THE PROVINCE OF DAVAO DEL SUR, TO BE KNOWN
AS THE DAVAO DEL SUR DRUG REHABILITATION CENTER AND ALLOCATING
FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Creation: There shall be established, through the Department of Health,
alongside the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the provincial government
of Davao del Sur, a drug rehabilitation center in the province of Davao del Sur to be known as
Davao del Sur Drug Rehabilitation Center, that shall be responsible for handling and
implementation rehabilitation programs for illegal drug users within the province and the
nearby areas.

SECTION 2. The Davao del Sur Drug Rehabilitation Center shall help illegal drug users
make positive changes in their lives and shall help them recover from substance use
disorders through but not limited to the following:

a. Providing affordable accommodation, care, and treatment to its patients.

b. Conducting a needs assessment to ensure that proper treatment is given to each
patient.

©. Offering broad range of evidence-based treatment plans for the physical,
psychological, emotional, spiritual and behavioral wellness and recovery of its
patients. Plans and activities shall include cognitive-behavioral therapy, group
counseling, peer group meetings, family therapy sessions, nutritional counseling,
meditation and mindfulness exercises, interdenominational church services and
relapse prevention education, and aftercare planning, among others.

d. Providing after-care, follow-up and social reintegration services to enable illegal
drug users to adjust to family and community life after release

e. Encouraging the formation of organizations and associations composed of parents,
guardians, and immediate relatives of the patients in order to raise awareness on
the complexities of illegal drug abuse and reduce the social stigma and
discrimination against illegal drug abusers.

SECTION 3. Location: The Davao del Sur Drug Rehabilitation Center shall be
established in the Municipality of Digos in the Province of Davao del Sur.

SECTION 4. Organization: The Davao del Sur Drug Rehabilitation Center shall be
headed by a Director who shall be appointed by the Secretary of Health. The Director shall
abide the qualifications set by the Civil Service Commission and shall oversee the entire


rehabilitation program and perform other duties and functions relevant to the position, in
Coordination with the DOH, DSWD, and the provincial government of Davao del Sur

SECTION 5. Personnel and Staff: The Director shall appoint other personnel and staff as may
be necessary, subject to existing laws, rules, and regulations. The appointed personnel and
staff shall undergo continuous trainings, seminars, and other measures to ensure that they
are fully capable of performing their duties:

SECTION 6. Development Plan: The Davao del Sur Drug Rehabilitation Center is
mandated to formulate a five-year development plan in the fulfillment of its mandate.

SECTION 7. 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 for the effective implementation of this Act.

SECTION 8. Rules and Regulations: The Department of Health, in coordination with
the Department of Social Welfare and Development is hereby authorized to promulgate such
rules and regulations as may be necessary for the effective implementation of this Act.

SECTION 9. Appropriations: The amount necessary for the effective implementation
of this Act shalll be charged against the current appropriations of the Department of Health and
the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Thereafter, such amount as may be
necessary for the continuous operation of the Davao del Sur Drug Rehabilitation Center shall
be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 10. Separabilty Clause: If, for any reason, any section of this Act shall be
deemed unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provision thereof shall not be affected
thereby and shalll remain in force and effect.

SECTION. 11. Repealing Clause: All laws, executive orders, decrees, instructions,
rules and regulations, contrary to or inconsistent with any provision of this Act are hereby
repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 12. Effectivity: This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication in
the Official gazette or in two (2) national newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,