About P2.1 billion from the proposed 2023 national budget will be allocated to fund the operations and expansion of 23 residential drug treatment and rehabilitation centers (TRCs), according to Makati City 2nd district Rep. Luis Campos Jr.
“The P2.1 billion is 18 percent, or P322 M, higher than this year’s funding for public residential drug TRCs run by the DOH (Department of Health),” Campos, House Committee on Appropriations vice chairperson, said on Friday, Nov. 11.
“While we have to suppress the supply side of the drug problem by putting traffickers and pushers behind bars, we also have to rein in the demand side by providing adequate rehabilitation services to dependents,” Campos continued.
Campos highlighted this with respect to the upcoming “Drug Abuse and Prevention Control Week”, which takes place on the third week of every November. This month, it will run from Nov. 13 to Nov. 19.
Republic Act (RA) 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act mandates that drug dependents may voluntarily apply for admission within a DOH-run TRC. Their parents, spouses, guardians, or relatives may also admit them.
Persons who test positive for illegal drug use may face a penalty of six months rehabilitation in a TRC.
As per the solon, these are the 23 TRCs and their corresponding allocations–in descending order– under the 2023 budget:
Bicutan Rehabilitation Center (P240.3 M); Tagaytay Rehabilitation Center (P212.3 M); Argao, Cebu Rehabilitation Center (P127.6 M); Cagayan de Oro Rehabilitation Center (P126.6 M); Bataan Rehabilitation Center (P125.6 M); Camarines Sur Rehabilitation Center (P123.7 M); Dagupan Rehabilitation Center (P118 M); Isabela Rehabilitation Center (P109.5 M); Pototan, Iloilo Rehabilitation Center (P109.2 M); CARAGA Rehabilitation Center (P104.1 M); Cebu City Rehabilitation Center (P102.2 M); Dulag, Leyte Rehabilitation Center (P88.8 M); Malinao, Albay Rehabilitation Center (P87.4 M); Central Luzon Centers for Health Development (P73.6 M); SOCCSKSARGEN Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (P53 M); San Fernando, La Union Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (P51.5 M); Malagos, Davao Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (P49.6 M); Malaybalay, Bukidnon Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (P33.8 M); San Francisco, Agusan del Sur Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (P33.5 M); Las Piñas Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (P9.1 M); Zamboanga City Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (P8.4 M); Mega Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (P8.1 M); and the Bauko, Mountain Province Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (P4.4 M).