BAUKO, Mountain Province – The Cordillera office of the Department of Health-CAR (DOH-CHD-CAR) is pushing for the first regional drug treatment and rehabilitation facility in Mountain Province to operate in the 3rd quarter of this year.
Dr. Alexi Marrero, DOH-CAR medical officer, reported on the status of the ongoing establishment of the 1st Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (DATRC) in Cordillera Administrative Region, which is situated on a one-hectare site in Bauko, Mountain Province.
He claimed that drug dependency is a major social problem and is considered a primary health concern in the country.
“From January to December 2022, a total of 1.1 billion worth of illegal drugs were confiscated, including those uprooted and burned during marijuana eradication operations, while 504 drug personalities were arrested in Cordillera Administrative Region,” he reported.
Marrero also acknowledges the ongoing establishment of the Mountain Province Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (MP-DATRC) as a major accomplishment of their office.
Furthermore, establishing the MP-DATRC is needed in the region because several out-patients from the region are referred to other regions to enter rehabilitation centers.
Earlier, they fast-tracked the hiring of necessary personnel for the facility.
As of the end of January, 20 out of 45 personnel are already hired, including the Chief of Hospital II care of the central office, Chief Health Program Officer Dr. Karen Balanza and Supervising Administrative Officer Randy Samonte.
The facility presently has a maximum 100-bed capacity and its facilities include the administration building, staff house, dormitory deep well, dormitory activity area, confinement fence projects, sewerage treatment plant, powerhouse projects, 2-storey kitchen, mess hall and materials recovery facility.
However, the construction for the kitchen, mess hall and materials recovery facility was recently put on hold until a tree-cutting permit is approved by higher authorities.
Although the permit was secured last January 25, 2023, the DENR approved the declaration of the land’s official ownership but still lacks the Malacañang approval.
Nevertheless, there is already a work and financial plan and project procurement management plan of the GAA Fund amounting to P4,428 000.
According to Dr. Marrero, the MP-DATRC targets to operate in the 3rd quarter of this year once the resolution for rebidding, land turnover, deficiency of licensing requirements and manpower are accomplished. By Via Alyssa A. Fronda
