Government ramps up spending on drug rehab, treatment

CEBU, Philippines — The national government is ramping up spending on public residential drug abuse treatment and rehabilitation centers (DATRCs) by P2.7 billion to address overcrowding and boost public access.

“The government will spend up to P2.7 billion in 2025 to sustain the operations and augment the beds of DATRCs under the Department of Health (DOH). The sum is P700 million higher than this year’s P2-billion allocation,” said Makati City Rep. Luis Campos Jr., vice chairperson of the House committee on appropriations.

These include two rehabilitation centers in Cebu. Cebu City DATRC was allocated P31.12 million while the Argao DATRC was given P31 million for 2025.

Campos said the 35 percent increase in the funding for DATRCs is consistent with the government’s strategy to simultaneously fight both the demand and supply sides of the drug problem.

“We must keep under control the demand side by providing adequate treatment and rehabilitation services to drug dependents, while suppressing the supply side by putting traffickers and pushers behind bars,” Campos added.

Under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Law, a drug dependent may, by himself/herself or through a parent, spouse, guardian or relative within the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity, voluntarily apply for admission to a DOH-run DATRC.

The law also provides that a person arrested, and who is found positive for illegal drug use, after a confirmatory test, faces the minimum penalty of six months compulsory rehabilitation in a DATRC.

Currently, there are 23 DATRCs operated by DOH across the country. These are located in Calabarzon, Tagaytay,  Las Piñas,  Bicutan,  Camarines Sur, Davao, Zamboanga City, Albay,  Bataan, Mountain Province, Caraga, La Union, and  Bukidnon. — (FREEMAN)