MANILA–Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah F. Pangamdaman approved on Friday the release of over P48.8 million to the Department of Health (DOH) to complete the implementation of additional construction works of the Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (DATRC) in Trece Martires, Cavite.
“Among the priorities of the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is to not just fully enforce the law when it comes to illegal drug use and abuse but also on rehabilitation of victims or drug users,” Secretary Pangandaman said.
The fund will be chargeable against the Grant Proceeds from the Japan International Cooperation Agency – Program for Consolidated Rehabilitation of Illegal Drug Users (JICA – CARE), Automatic Appropriations under FY 2023 of the General Appropriations Act (GAA).
“The government will see to it that the upkeep of the country’s existing facilities on drug abuse treatment and rehabilitation will continue by allotting necessary budget for that purpose,” the Budget Secretary added.
The DATRC facility which is built on a five-hectare land donated by the Provincial Government of Cavite is a national government project under the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte which can accommodate 400 male and 80 female patients from South and Central Luzon, who have high-risk drug dependence and are willing to undergo treatment and rehabilitation in an in-patient facility.
The DATRC has complete amenities and facilities such as Processing Building, Medical, and Admin Building, Family Waiting Area, Reception/Information, Nurse’s Station, Observation Room, Conference room, Office of the TRC Chief, Visitors building, Garden, Prayer hall, Covered Walkway, Male/Female Patient Dormitory, Activity Center, Training Building, Staff dormitory, Transition Dormitory, and Activity Center.
Republic Act No. 9165, otherwise known as the “Comprehensive. Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002”, provides that the State must implement effective mechanisms or measures to re-integrate into society individuals who have fallen victims to drug abuse or dangerous drug dependence through sustainable programs of treatment rehabilitation. (With reports from DILG website)
