The P350-million Chinese-funded Dangerous Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center in Alabel, Sarangani was recently inaugurated and turned over to the Philippine government after its construction was completed in less than a year.
Sarangani Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon lauded the project, which broke ground in January this year, and said it will help the Provincial Anti-Illegal Drug Abuse Program in its Community-Based Rehabilitation Program (CBRP) as a holistic approach in rehabilitating surrendered drug personalities.
Solon noted the abrupt drop of crime rate in the region to 70 percent at the height of the government’s anti-illegal drugs campaign, and the center will be a big help in this effort.
The 150-bed rehabilitation center occupies a three-hectare lot provided by the provincial government. It will operate in January 2019 to cater to Region 12 or Soccsksargen, which covers the provinces of South Cotabato, (North) Cotabato, Cotabato City, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and Gen. Santos City.
With a floor area of 6,707 square meters, the center includes an admission, administration building and clinic, male and female dormitory, transition villa, visitors’ pavilion, staff house, motor pool, a multipurpose covered court, and other buildings.
An inter-agency task force composed of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Department of Health, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Dangerous Drugs Board, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Office of the President will facilitate the operation of the center.
The project design adopted a modernist architecture for its main functions that include treatment, training, sports and office. The central administration building is shaped like a “window of hope,” facing the future and symbolizing the opening of each patient’s heart to help them step into a new and bright future, officials said.
Unveiling the marker of the Center at the inauguration were Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and Chinese Consul General Li Lin.
It was witnessed by DOH regional director Aristides Concepcion Tan, DOH Assistant Secretary Abdullah Dumama Jr, DILG Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III, China State (Philippines) Construction Engineering Corp. general manager Liu Wei, and Chinese Embassy economic and commercial counselor Jin Yuan.
