First drug rehab center in Caraga to open in Surigao City

A drug rehabilitation and treatment center will soon open in Caraga.

In a Memorandum of Agreement signed on March 19, 2009 between the Surigao City local government unit (LGU) and the Department of Health (DOH) – Caraga, the P40-million first government-run facility will be built in Surigao City to serve as a drug treatment facility in the region.

The rehab center will have a 50-bed capacity situated on a 40-hectare lot donated by the LGU of Surigao City. Ground breaking is expected in May with the target completion date in 2010. The Office of Special Concerns of the DOH has already provided the first tranche in the amount of P7.5 million. The Caraga Regional Development Council endorsed the project under RDC Resolution No. 15, S. 2008 during its full council meeting held on September 24, 2008 in Surigao City.

In a related development, the P2.5 million Outpatient Treatment and Rehabilitation Clinic of the Caraga Regional Hospital was officially opened on the same day that the MOA on the drug rehab center was signed. The clinic accepts patients for detoxification before admission to the drug rehabilitation and treatment center.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo declared herself as the drug czar in the Philippines and the projects in the region are part of her campaign to prevent and curb drug problems and provide rehabilitation and treatment to victims of drug abuse. Caraga is one of the regions in the country with the highest prevalence of drug use. (Ian G. Miculob, NEDA-Caraga)

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