By Chito Chavez
The Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) and the Bureau of Corrections (BUCOR) said on Saturday that forging an agreement that will provide a treatment and rehabilitation program inside the New Bilibid Prison for persons deprived of liberty (PDL) will at least minimize their illegal drug woes inside the jail facility.
New Bilibid Prison (Photo by Jansen Romero/Manila Bulletin)
Earlier, the DDB turned over a financial assistance amounting to P8.5 million to the BUCOR through Director General Gerald Bantag to finance the construction of a facility inside the New Bilibid Prison.
The grant will be used to construct NBP’s treatment and rehabilitation center.
DDB Chairman Catalino Cuy has cited the initiative of BUCOR officials in reviving the treatment and rehabilitation center inside the NBP and has extended his support to its programs.
“The DDB welcomes and commends this initiative of BUCOR to target the inmates facing drug dependency issues. DDB fully supports the effort as it looks forward to the establishment of the rehabilitation center,” Cuy said.
Cuy also expressed gratitude to Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go as he was instrumental in forging the partnership between DDB and BUCOR.
He noted that it was in a meeting initiated by Go where the plan to establish a rehab facility in the NBP was discussed.
“We are optimistic that with the treatment and rehabilitation facility in place, drug dependency through appropriate interventions in jails will be addressed,” Cuy said.
The turnover of financial assistance is in line with the priorities under the Philippine Anti-Illegal Drugs Strategy to successfully implement the evidence-based treatment and rehabilitation programs of the government and address problems of drug use and dependence in the community.