DOH hopes for drop in drug abuse

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Health (DOH) hopes the number of drug users will be on a downtrend in the next three years of the Duterte administration, and eyes spaces in military camps as locations for new rehabilitation facilities.

Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said the DOH is already seeing a downtrend in the number of drug users.

“Yes, just for a short period about three to four years, after that we will be stable,” Ubial said at a press briefing at Malacañang on Tuesday.

Ubial also said the DOH is eyeing available spaces at military camps in Bukidnon; Bataan; Jamindan, Capiz; Carmen, Bohol; and Camp Brig. Gen. Hermenegildo Agaab in Malungon, Sarangani as areas for the construction of drug treatment facilities. 

The DOH has requested for the approval of P1.6 billion in the 2017 budget for the construction of the facilities.

“The idea (came) after the surge of patients… In a few years only, the facilities will be turned over to the military,” Ubial said.

“There are three tracks for our drug surrenderees. And the Department of Health is now working with local government units to actually train the frontline doctors and health professionals so that we can provide the community-based program as well as the outpatient rehabilitation program.

“Our goal right now is to establish two more mega treatment and rehabilitation: one more mega treatment and rehabilitation center in Luzon, another in Visayas, and another in Mindanao. The budget for the human resources needed for these facilities is already included in our 2017 budget proposal,” she added.

Ubial also said the rehabilitation program is being done in collaboration with non-government organizations, interfaith groups and volunteers. “All these programs of the DOH are actually included in the 2017 budget.”

Last week, President Duterte signed Executive Order No. 4 mandating the creation of an interagency task force for the building of drug treatment and rehabilitation facilities, and for the consolidation of the efforts of the national government and the local government units in the rehabilitation of drug users.

About P130 million in the DOH’s P510 million Quick Response Funds (QRF) under the 2016 budget will be used by the agency for the operations of the Mega Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Center at Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija.

Ubial said lack of funds for drug-related problems prompted the DOH to source out the budget to speed up the operations of the rehabilitation center, which can accommodate about 10,000 drug patients. 

To avoid possible problems with the Commission on Audit, Sen. Francis Escudero has recommended that Ubial look into the possibility of tapping DOH’s unutilized funds amounting to P18.96 billion under the Health Facilities Enhancement Program for the operations of the mega drug treatment facility in Nueva Ecija.

Under the special provisions of the DOH’s budget for 2016, the DOH’s P510.5 million in QRF “shall serve as standby fund for the rehabilitation and repair of health facilities, replacement of medical equipment, and provision for emergency medical assistance, including pre-positioning of medical aids” to uplift the living conditions of people in communities or areas “stricken by calamities, epidemics, crises and catastrophes.”