The Valenzuela City government inaugurated the city’s Drug Rehabilitation and Treatment Center in Barangay Punturin, Valenzuela City, on Thursday, March 21.
The Balai Banyuhay is the first drug rehabilitation and treatment facility in the city.
The “Balai Banyuhay” was based on the words “balai” which means home, while “banyuhay” means “bagong anyo ng buhay” or transformation.
It is a home of transformation that aims to create an environment that is specifically designed for the treatment and rehabilitation of individuals struggling with drug dependence. It also provides a space for recovery and healing.
In accordance with City Ordinance No. 603 S. 2019, which established Balai Banyuhay, Action Officer of the Valenzuela Anti-Drug Abuse Council (VADAC) and city’s Representative Atty. Walter Magnum “Bimbo” Dela Cruz, stated that the center should serve as a symbol of new hope and new life for those affected by drug addiction.
According to the city’s public information office, the facility received an accreditation from the Department of Health (DOH) last February 13, 2023, as a free-standing facility with residential and outpatient services.
It added that the facility has a 72-bed capacity for in-patients.
The facility will offer medical services such as detoxification treatment, medical consultation and management, check-ups on drug dependency and mental status of the residents.
It also offers psycho-social and family counseling and screenings.
The facility will also conduct various programs such as therapeutic community modality program, aftercare, education, livelihood, spiritual, sports, and family programs.
The city government also announced that the facility is now accepting patients endorsed by the neighboring cities, especially in Bulacan.
According to Valenzuela City Mayor Weslie “Wes” Gatchalian, the facility aims to extend help to the patients and their families.
“Malinaw ang dahilan kung bakit itinayo ang gusaling ito - upang iabot ang tulong, and to extend helping hands to effectively treat, rehabilitate, and re-integrate the Valenzuelanos to their community (There is a clear reason for the construction of this building - to extend assistance and provide helping hands to effectively treat, rehabilitate, and reintegrate the Valenzuelanos into their community),” he said.
Gatchalian highlighted the one-stop-shop feature of Balai Banyuhay.
“Kung saan matatagpuan ang mga opisina ng Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), VADAC, ang city health at ang ibang mga non-government organization (NGO) sa loob ng pasilidad. Hindi na rin maabala ang mga pamilya ng ating mga residente dahil kabilang sa serbisyo ng one-stop-shop ang pag proseso ng ating sariling dangerous drug board representative ng mga dokumento para sa pagpasok sa Balai Banyuhay (Where the offices of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), VADAC, the city health, and other non-government organizations (NGOs) are located within the facility. The families of our residents are also no longer inconvenienced because included in the one-stop shop service is the processing of documents by our own dangerous drug board representative for entry into the Balai Banyuhay),” he said.
The city mayor stated that Balai Banyuhay is not merely a center for treatment and rehabilitation but also a beacon of hope. He added that they intend to share 40 percent of the capacity of Balai Banyuhay with neighboring cities.
“Ang problema sa droga ay hindi lamang problema ng isang lugar, this is an interconnected issue which transcends the physical borders of our city. This is why we are opening the doors of Balai Banyuhay not just to Valenzuelanos but also to our neighboring cities (The drug problem is not just a problem of one locality; this is an interconnected issue that transcends the physical borders of our city. This is why we are opening the doors of Balai Banyuhay not just to Valenzuelaños but also to our neighboring cities),” the city mayor said.
“Pero syempre priority pa rin natin ang Pamilyang Valenzuelano kaya po 60 percent of our capacity ay nakareserve para sa kanila libre po ito, at habang ang 40 percent capacity naman ay ilalaan natin sa ating mga kapitbahay ("But of course, our priority is still the residents of Valenzuela, which is why 60 percent of our capacity is reserved for them, and this is free of charge. Meanwhile, 40 percent of the capacity will be allocated to our neighbors),” he added.
The Balai Banyuhay was established on February 14, 2020. However, the facility was used as a quarantine facility for Covid-19 patients.
Balai Banyuhay is located in a 2,600 square meter plot in Barangay Punturin, The facility received its initial funding of P50 million from Senator Sherwin Gatchalian.
The local government contributed the remaining fund, solidifying the drug rehab center as a collaborative effort between local and national entities.
Valenzuela City has invested a total of P115 million, covering not only the construction of the facility but also ensuring its inclusive and holistic development.
Valenzuela City Vice Mayor Lorie Natividad-Borja, Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa, Action Officer of VADAC and 1st District Representative Atty. Walter Magnum “Bimbo” Dela Cruz, city council members, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Regional Director Maria Lourdes Agustin, DOH-Metro Manila for Health Development Regional Director Rio Magpantay, and PDEA Asst. Secretary Israel Dickson were present during the inauguration.