PHP693M needed for drug rehab centers in Eastern Visayas

DULAG, Leyte, May 7 (PNA) – Nearly PHP700 million is needed to expand the state-run Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (TRC) for compulsive drug users and to establish nine aftercare facilities in six provinces in Eastern Visayas.

Teresita Cajano, chief of the Department of Health-TRC in this town, said the Regional Development Council recently endorsed the budget for allocation next year in support to the anti-drug campaign of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Nearly half of the proposed PHP693.69 million budget will be for the expansion of the TRC, for an additional 200-bed dormitory to house female drug dependents. Currently, the 100-bed TRC dormitory has only 24 patients.

Part of the development plan is to set up laboratory equipment inside the existing center.

Cajano said the government will also build drug rehabilitation complexes in the cities of Tacloban, Baybay, and Ormoc in Leyte; Maasin in Southern Leyte; and, Catbalogan and Calbayog in Samar. The same facilities will rise in the capital towns of Naval in Biliran and Catarman in Northern Samar. 

To prevent any relapse, the complex will house a re-entry center and aftercare building to facilitate the re-integration of patients to the community.

“If a former user has been drug-free for one year, the chance of relapse is still 50 percent. 

That is why we need aftercare facilities in the provinces to help former drug users completely abandon drugs,” Cajano said.

Drug users can also avail of the Department of Social Welfare and Development's cash-for-work program, or the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority’s livelihood training program for former drug dependents.

Under the aftercare program, former drug dependents are required to attend twice a month sessions for 18 months.

The PHP693.69 million budget request is only for infrastructure. To include operational expense, the health department needs PHP1.2 billion to sustain its operation.

(Sarwell Q. Meniano/PNA)
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