Gov’t Boosts Drug Rehab Budget to PHP 2.7B

MANILA – The national government will increase funding for public residential drug abuse treatment and rehabilitation centers (DATRCs) by 35 percent to PHP 2.7 billion in 2025, according to Makati City Rep. Luis Campos Jr., vice chairperson of the House appropriations committee. “The government will spend up to PHP 2.7 billion in 2025 to sustain

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“The government will spend up to PHP 2.7 billion in 2025 to sustain the operations and augment the beds of DATRCs under the Department of Health (DOH),” Campos said.

He noted that this amount is PHP 700 million higher than this year’s allocation of PHP 2 billion.

Campos made the announcement ahead of Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Week, observed from Nov. 17 to 23.

The observance aims to raise public awareness about the harmful effects of drug abuse, as mandated by Presidential Proclamation No. 124 issued on Nov. 26, 2001.

“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,” Campos said.

“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,” he added.

Under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Law, drug dependents may voluntarily apply for admission to a DOH-run DATRC, either on their own or through a relative up to the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity.

The law mandates that individuals arrested and found positive for illegal drug use after a confirmatory test face a minimum of six months of compulsory rehabilitation at a DATRC.

Currently, the DOH operates 23 DATRCs across the country.

Campos said the 2025 budget includes PHP 916 million in capital outlay to expand the capacity of 15 DATRCs and accommodate more patients.

The capital outlays for the Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP) are as follows: