THE Department of Health (DoH) is spending P1.3 billion in 2021 for the operation of 22 public residential drug abuse treatment and rehabilitation centers across the country, a veteran lawmaker said on Sunday.
Cebu Rep. Eduardo Gullas, a former House Majority Leader, enumerated the centers and their operating fund allocations in the proposed P4.5-trillion national budget for 2021 as follows: Bicutan Rehabilitation Center (P186.9 million); Las Piñas Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (P6.4 million); Dagupan Rehabilitation Center (P93.7 million); San Fernando, La Union Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (P13 million); Bauko, Mountain Province Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (P4.4 million); Isabela Rehabilitation Center (P61.9 million); Central Luzon Centers for Health Development (P73.7 million); Bataan Rehabilitation Center (P69 million); Tagaytay Rehabilitation Center (P102.4 million); Camarines Sur Rehabilitation Center (P63.9 million); Malinao, Albay Rehabilitation Center (P64.5 million); Pototan, Iloilo Rehabilitation Center (P57.6 million); Argao, Cebu Rehabilitation Center (P83 million); Cebu City Rehabilitation Center (P52 million); Dulag, Leyte Rehabilitation Center (P64.8 million); Zamboanga City Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (P8.4 million); Cagayan de Oro Rehabilitation Center (P71.7 million); Malaybalay, Bukidnon Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (P17.5 million); Malagos, Davao Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (P13 million); Alabel, Sarangani Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (P13 million); CARAGA Rehabilitation Center (P62 million); and San Francisco, Agusan del Sur Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (P17 million).
“Families should encourage their members who are drug users to voluntarily seek admission to these centers,” Gullas, a member of the House committee on appropriations, said.
“Otherwise, families may petition for the compulsory treatment and rehabilitation of their members who are drug users,” Gullas said.
Under the law, Gullas said drug users apprehended with small amounts of prohibited substances may be required to undergo treatment and rehabilitation, instead of a jail term.
“While going through mandatory treatment and rehabilitation for not more than six months, the jail sentences of drug users may be suspended by the trial judge,” Gullas pointed out.
