FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
) 
) 
First Regular Session 
S. N~ENfg:o 6 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
" 
OiFK;E t) 0_ ,. 
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 govermnent, business, and even law 
enforcement agencies and it may only take a little more time before the Philippines becomes 
another Colombia. 
Several govermnent agencies envisioned to lead the govermnent's total war against 
dangerous drugs were created. Laws were passed to encourage the participation of the Local 
Govermnent 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 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 govermnent 
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 from the physical and 
I 


mental trauma brought about by dangerous drugs. Hence, this bill seeks to establish a drug 
rehabilitation center in every region in the country. 
This is a Senate counterpart bill to one filed in the House of Representatives by Rep. 
Roque R. Ablan Jr.' 
• This bill was originally filed in the 14th Congress. 
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L 
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
{1~0'!(;E \ '} '0 
;,[ LHf, 'j /" try' 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SEN1.~06 
S.No. ___ _ 
/) 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
1 
AN ACT 
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PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF DRUG REHABILITATION CENTER IN 
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EVERY REGION OF THE COUNTRY AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Creation. - There shall be established, under the supervision of the 
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Department of Health, drug rehabilitation center in every region of the country, hereinafter 
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referred to as the Center. 
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SECTION 2. Objectives and Functions. - The Center shall have the following objectives 
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and functions: 
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(A) To provide care, treatment and accommodation to persons found to be drug 
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dependents; 
II 
(B) To bring a drug dependent to a state where he is physically, psychologically and 
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socially capable of coping with problems common to his peer group; 
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(C) To facilitate and encourage the dissemination and exchange of ideas and information 
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on the prevention, care, treatment and control of drug addiction; 
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(D) To provide after-care, follow-up and social reintegration services to enable a drug 
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dependent to adjust to family and community life after his release; 
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(E) To provide each drug dependent motivation to regain self-confidence, rediscover his 
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working abilities and develop a sense ~f responsibility for himself; 
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(F) To encourage the formation of organizations and associations composed of parents, 
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guardians and immediate relatives of drug dependents in order to arouse their awareness and 
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1 
enhance their participation in the care, treatment and rehabilitation of their relatives or wards 
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found to be drug dependent patients; 
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(0) To undertake continuous training of physicians, nurses, health officers and social 
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workers on the practical and scientific methods of prevention, care, treatment and rehabilitation 
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of persons found to be drug dependents; 
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(H) To strengthen the emotional and spiritual make-up of an individual drug dependent 
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by conducting regular guidance and counseling sessions as well as interdenominational church 
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services. 
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SECTION 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 accessibility of the 
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Center to its clientele, determine the location thereof. 
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SECTION 4. Organization. - The Center shall be headed by a Director to be assisted by 
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two (2) Deputy Directors who shall be appointed by the Secretary of Health and vested with 
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powers generally exercised by a Chief and Assistant Chiefs, respectively, of a government 
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hospital. 
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No person shall be appointed Director or Deputy Director unless he possess the following 
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qualifications: 
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(A) At least thirty-five (35) years of age; 
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(B) A physician of good repute; and 
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(C) At least five (5) years experience in the care, treatment and rehabilitation of drug 
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dependents. 
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SECTION 5. Personnel and Staff - The Director shall appoint such other personnel and 
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staff as may be necessary for the effective operation of the Center subject to existing laws, rules 
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and regulations. 
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SECTION 6. Five-Year Development Plan. - The Center, through its Director, shall be 
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authorized to embark on a Five-Year Development Plan in the fulfillment of the following: 
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(A) To establish additional building facilities equipped with new and modem equipment 
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to serve and cater to drug dependents of the region; 
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(B) To initiate plans for the development of income generating programs for the ultimate 
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purpose of generating resources to provide charity services; 
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(C) To provide hospital pharmacy services, Free dispensaries and health stations; and 
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(D) To provide educational facilities for interns and graduate and undergraduate students 
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of medicine. 
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SECTION 7. Government Assistance to the Center. - The Secretary of Health is hereby 
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authorized to call upon any department, bureau, agency or instrumentality of the government for 
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such assistance as may be necessary to 'effectively implement this Act. 
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SECTION 8. Rules and Regulations. - The Director of the Center is hereby authorized, 
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with the approval of the Secretary of Health, to - promulgate such rules and regulations as may 
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be necessary to secure an effective administration ofthe Center and the effective implementation 
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of the provisions ofthis Act 
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SECTION 9. Appropriations. - The sum necessary for the effective implementation of 
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this Act shall be charged against the appropriations for the Department of Health under the 
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current General Appropriations Act. Thereafter, such amount as may be necessary for the 
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continued operation ofthe Center shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
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SECTION 10. Separability Clause. - If any part hereof, is held invalid or 
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unconstitutional, the remainder of the provision not otherwise affected shall remain valid and 
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subsisting. 
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SECTION 11. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
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order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
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with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly. 
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1 
SECTION 12. Effectivity Clause. " This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved. 
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