BATANGAS CITY (PIA) – The city council of Batangas City has passed a resolution expressing its approval to the construction of a new drug treatment and rehabilitation center in Batangas City.

The project will be funded under the Substance Abuse Program of the Department of Health-Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (DOH-TRC).

The agreement is a bid of the local government and DOH to contribute to the Community-Based Drug Rehabilitation Program, with an eventual goal of making the city drug-free.
 
According to Councilor Oliver Macatangay, one way to continue the collaboration between the city government and DOH-TRC is to establish a rehabilitation center which has become a long-standing dream of the city.
 
The MOA will last for three years, wherein it formalizes that all referrals given by the local government to DOH-TRC will be taken care of until the individuals fully recover and become productive citizens of society.
 
Identified drug users will undergo a Drug Dependency Examination (DDE) to determine if they are low-risk users, moderate-risk users, or high-risk users.
 
Among the facilities to be put up in the center include: a school for patients, a worship facility for various religious groups, a TB-DOTS center, dental care, and HIV testing laboratory.
 
According to Dr. Alfonso Villaroman, the chief of hospital at DOH-TRC, the residents of Batangas are fortunate because the patients will not incur any expenses, as the city government will shoulder all of the costs.
 
"The city government of Batangas has nothing to worry about because we assure a 100% commitment and assistance to drug dependents from pre-admission to their aftercare," said Villaroman.
 
Mayor Beverly Dimacuha expressed her utmost support for the initiative and has met regularly with the DOH-TRC officials to ensure a smooth implementation of the program. (BPDC, CH/PIA-Batangas)