THE chairman of the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs on Friday asked the House leadership to prioritize the passage of a measure seeking the establishment of rehabilitation centers following the Duterte administration’s intensiï¬ed campaign against illegal drugs.
Surigao de Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, the panel chairman, stressed the need for Congress to pass a law for the purpose despite an existing law prescribing the construction of at least one facility in each province—due to its funding component.
“Although it is provided in Section 75 of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 on the need to establish at least one treatment and rehabilitation center in each province, the cost of constructing, operating and managing these facilities must be taken into consideration,” Barbers said.
“The funding needed for the implementation of the proposed bills, if passed into law, shall be included in the General Appropriations Act which Congress legislates,” he added.