if^»| S'eiwt;
Ottiic '^•frpta:.?
NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
'22 JUL12 P5 -14
SENATE
s. No. 428
Rl'CEiVliD B/;
Introduced by Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" T. Go
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT AND SUPPORT OF A DRUG ABUSE 
TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION CENTER IN EVERY PROVINCE 
THROUGHOUT THE PHILIPPINES AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) reported that as of February 
2022, a total of 331,694 suspects were arrested in the 229,868 drug war operations 
conducted since July 2016. Of the number of arrested individuals, PDEA reported a 
total of 15,096 high-value targets. Authorities have also seized illegal drugs worth 
PHP89.29 billion across the country, including PHP76.1/ billion in shabu.
Much has been said about the drug menace and its capacity to destroy and 
wreak havoc on the lives of its victims. Measures are being taken to address the 
importance of fighting the proliferation of drug-related crimes. Many such measures 
are directed towards subduing the criminals responsible for these crimes. However, 
the elimination of drug-related crimes is merely one aspect of the two-pronged 
approach that must be taken in dealing with the effects of dangerous drugs. Apart 
from the fight for the nation's safety and security against the menace of illegal drugs, 
attention must also be directed towards the rehabilitation and recovery of its victims.
Drug dependents are victims of drug criminals and syndicates. They are people 
who have been preyed upon by opportunists seeking to take advantage of the 
downward spiral that inevitably takes place once drug addiction begins. Thus, drug


dependents should be treated as victims in dire need of medical, psychological, and 
spiritual help, with a chance of being successfully reintegrated into society as a healthy 
and productive citizen.
While it is true that the national government has consistently centered its 
campaign against drugs on crime prevention and eradication, it has not lost sight of 
its duty to aid in the recovery of those whose lives have been destroyed by illegal 
drugs. The past administrations have shown equal concern for the rehabilitation and 
reintegration of drug dependents by directing the executive branch of the government 
to support the establishment of Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Centers. In 
these places, drug dependents can pick up pieces of their lives that have fallen apart 
due to Illegal drugs. The government has not fallen short on its efforts to reintegrate 
into society individuals who have fallen victim to drug abuse or dangerous drugs. 
Sustainable programs of treatment and rehabilitation have always been an Integral 
part of the unrelenting campaign against illegal drugs.
Legislative measures are currently being taken to aid in the war against the 
drug menace. This measure, however, aims to show that there Is an equally 
passionate desire to address the drug problem on all fronts, even those avenues where 
compassion and care serve as the best weapon.
If we are to completely succeed against the evils brought about by dangerous 
drugs, the fight must not stop with the elimination of drug criminals. Success can only 
be truly achieved once those afflicted are given a chance to win their lives back.
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill hereby is earnestly sought.
SENATOR CHRISTOPHE
.WRENCE "BONG" T. GO


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NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
IfF of ii>r
'22 JUL 12 P5 -14
S. No.
SENATE
428
RECEIVED ITi':
Introduced by Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" T. Go
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT AND SUPPORT OF A DRUG ABUSE 
TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION CENTER IN EVERY PROVINCE 
THROUGHOUT THE PHILIPPINES AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and 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 Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center in every 
Province in the country, herein after referred to as "Center".
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Sec. 2. Objectives and Functions.
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objectives and functions:
The Center shall have the following
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 up 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 the motivation to regain self confidence.
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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 found to be drug dependents;
g) To encourage the participation of the private sector, non-government 
organizations, and faith communities in the rehabilitation and reintegration 
process
h) 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
i) To strengthen the emotional and spiritual make-up of an individual drug 
dependent by conducting regular guidance and counselling sessions as well 
as interdenominational services.
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Sec. 3. Site of the Center. — The Secretary of Health, in coordination with the
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Secretary of Public Works and Highways, shall, taking into consideration the
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accessibility of the Center to the people inhabiting all cities and/or municipalities under
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the jurisdiction of the Province, determine the location thereof.
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Sec. 4. Organization. — The Center shall be headed by a Director assisted by
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two (2) Deputy Directors who shall be appointed by the Secretary of Health and vested
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with powers generally exercised by a Chief and Assistant Chief, respectively, of a
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government hospital.
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No person shall be appointed Director or Deputy Director unless he/she
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possesses the following qualifications:
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a) At least thirty-five (35) years of age
b) A physician of good repute; and
c) At least five (5) years of experience in the care, treatment, and rehabilitation 
of drug dependents.


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Sec. 5. Personnel and 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
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existing laws, rules, and regulations.
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Sec. 6. Five-year Development Plan. — The Center, through its Director, shall
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embark on a Five-year Development Plan for the fulfillment of the following:
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a) To establish additional facilities equipped with new and modern equipment
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to serve and cater to the needs of recovering drug dependents in the
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Province;
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b) To initiate plans for the development of income generating programs for
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the ultimate purpose of generating resources to provide charity sen/ices;
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c) To provide educational facilities for interns, graduate, and undergraduate
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students of medicine;
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d) To establish an informative and far-reaching information dissemination
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program that aims to educate the people of their respective provinces about
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all the dangers and hazards of drug dependence; and
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e) To develop a continuing and effective program, with the end in view of
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achieving reintegration of fully recovered drug dependents who can live
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peacefully, 
harmoniously, and productively, with their respective
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communities.
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Sec. 7. Government Assistance to the Center. — The Secretary of Health is
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hereby authorized to call upon any department, bureau, agency, or Instrumentality of
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the government for such assistance as maybe necessary to achieve the purposes of
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this Act.
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Sec. 8. Rules and Regulations. — The Secretary of Health shall, within sixty
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(60) days from the effectivity of this Act, issue the necessary guidelines for the
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effective implementation of the provisions of this Act.
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Sec. 9. — The sum necessary for the effective implementation of the provisions
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of this Act shall be initially charged against the appropriations for the Department of
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Health under the annual General Appropriations Act. Thereafter, such amount as may


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be necessary for the continued operation of the Center shall be included in the GAA
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for the succeeding years.
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Sec. 10. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from
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publication in the Official Gazette or in any two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Appro ved/