Government drug rehab center bankrupt?

The Metro Manila Drug Rehabilitation Center in Taguig has indicated that it would stop accepting patients because of the lack of funds from local government units.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr. called on the Metro Mayors to immediately turn over their respective shares for the center which has reached a total of P9.9 million as of end of June 2001.

The amount covers the meal and medicine expenses for an estimated 1,523 patients presently confined in the Drug Rehab Center. "Ayaw na tumanggap ng patients ang Drug Rehab Center dahil wala na sila pang subsidize," Abalos said.

When the center was officially opened last November 1999, the LGUs of Metro Manila were required to shell out P17 for each of the patients.

However, due to the increase in the cost of medicine and food, the Metro Manila Council decided to raise the share of the LGUs to P70 per patient.

According to Makati City Administrator Nicanor Santiago, the remittance to the Rehab Center was not programmed in the city’s budget.

Makati was fifth among the 17 LGUs in terms of the number of patients brought to the Rehab Center with 115 as of end-June.

Manila was first with 344, followed by Quezon City, 204; Caloocan City, 148; and Pasay City 132.

Based on the data of the MMC, Manila owes that Rehab Center a total of P2,166,780 for the period.

The share of the LGUs is dependent on the place of origin of the patients brought to the center.

Under the agreement, Taguig, Pateros and Navotas are exempted from the monthly remittance because of their status as municipalities.

The expenses for the three municipalities’ patients are taken from their city counterparts.

In the case of the total amount to be remitted to the Rehab Center, the MMDA is tasked to advance the payment on behalf of the LGUs.

However, because of the lack of funds of the MMDA, Abalos stressed that the LGUs should immediately remit their obligations.