Palace: EU aid a 'big boost' to government drug rehabilitation program

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Monday welcomed the €3.8-million in aid (P243.02 million) from the European Union to fund drug rehabilitation facilities in the country.

"EU’s desire to support our drug rehabilitation centers runs parallel with the Duterte administration's holistic approach to the drug problem by treating it not just as a national security issue but as a public health concern as well including rehabilitation and reintegration of drug dependents," presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a press briefing.

He said the regional bloc's assistance, which will be channeled to the Department of Health, will be a "big boost" to the government's drug rehabilitation program.

The presidential mouthpiece, however, maintained that Duterte is only amenable in accepting aids that do not come with any conditions.  

"He will reject, as he did in previous conditions, offers of assistance that would interfere with our domestic policies. The president will not compromise the nation’s dignity over any amount of foreign aid," Roque said.

On Friday, the European Commission's Directorate for International Cooperation and Development Stefano Manservisi said the aid is the last component of the EU’s drug rehabilitation program. The funds will be released in the “next days.”

Duterte had repeatedly criticized the EU for its stance on his bloody war on drugs. Last year, the country formally rejected at least P380 million in aid from the EU.