THE P800-million Mimaropa Regional Drug Rehabilitation and Treatment Center for drug surrenderers will soon rise in Bansud, Oriental Mindoro following the groundbreaking ceremony attended by the provincial and local government today.
Regional director Eduardo Janairo said the facility, which can serve more than 500 patients, would be the prime rehabilitation and recovery center for drug surrenderers of the five provinces of Mimaropa.
He said the facility would serve to augment the community-based rehabilitation being facilitated by provincial and local government units.
“We need to strengthen our capabilities to handle severe drug addiction cases although most cases can be treated in out-patient centers, not all of these drug surrenderers can be admitted to community based-rehab programs,” he said.
The health official said those who would be assessed and needing in-patient rehabilitation would only be admitted to the rehab center.
“That is why they must undergo the screening and assessment process,” he said.
The Dangerous Drugs Board lists 50 drug treatment and rehabilitation centers across the Philippines: 47 are residential while three are out-patient centers.
According to Janairo, there are currently 15 DoH-accredited physicians who handle the drug rehabilitation programs in Mimaropa; three in Palawan; three in Marinduque; three in Romblon; two in Occidental Mindoro; and one in Oriental Mindoro.
As of June 30, 2017, there are 20,910 drug surrenderers in Mimaropa with 7,805 screened and assessed.
Oriental Mindoro holds the record with the highest number with 9,563 drug surrenderers and 4,361 screened and assessed; second is Palawan with 5,260 surrenderers and 1,279 screened; third is Occidental Mindoro with 3,770 and 1,315; fourth is Romblon with 1,401 and 89; and Marinduque with 916 and 761, respectively.
There were 39 successful graduates of the DoH-Mimaropa Advance Intensive Care Treatment and Out-Patient Rehabilitation program in Calapan City in partnership with non-government organizations and the Calapan City Government.
In Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro, 50 have completed the program in partnership with NGOs and the municipal government and the Philippine National Police of Bongabong.
“We need all the support of everyone to be able to address the needs of these drug surrenderers to lessen and eventually eliminate the consumption and trade of illegal drugs in the country,” Janairo added.