Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija
November 29, 2016
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte led the unveiling of the Mega Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (DATRC) – Phase I situated inside the Fort Ramon Magsaysay in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija. The facility aims to give treatment to drug users who have voluntarily surrendered with the government’s enhanced campaign against illegal drugs.
The 100,000 square-meter rehabilitation center is expected to accommodate around 10,000 patients and will be run by about 1,000 personnel. It was donated by Huang Rulun, a Chinese businessman and philanthropist.
With a budget of Php 1.4 billion, construction of the mega DATRC began when Health (DOH) Secretary Paulyn Ubial met with Huang Rulun in China last September to sign a deed of donation.
President Duterte expressed his sincerest gratitude to Rulun after they inspected the facility, saying, “Please accept my gratitude and that of the Filipino people.” He also thanked the Chinese donor for his full support to the administration in suppressing illegal drugs in the country.
The President remained assertive on his stand against drug abuse, which he said is a virulent agent in any society.
“The campaign against drugs will continue till the last day of my term. I will not stop until the last drug pusher is out of the street and the last drug lord or king [is] killed. Yan ang pangako ko sa inyo,” President Duterte said.
He added that he has plans to build rehabilitation centers not only in Luzon, but also in the Visayas and Mindanao.
In her welcome remarks during the program, Health Secretary Ubial said that this is a chance for all drug addicts who surrendered to take back their life in order to become more productive members of society. Through the rehabilitation center, the DOH hopes that it will be a first step in reducing drug abuse and dependence throughout the country.
She thanked all the donors and sectors for supporting the rehabilitation needs of over 780,000 drug addicts who have surrendered nationwide, stressing that this is a clear statement towards a better health outcome for all Filipinos.
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