signing of deed of donation for drug rehab center in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig
The group of property tycoon Andrew Tan signed on Tuesday a commitment to build a modern drug rehabilitation and treatment facility in Taguig City in a bid to contribute to the dearth of such treatment centers in the country.
The proposed facility, which is targeted to be completed by 2018, can accommodate around 500 drug reformists. It will rise on a 6,852-square meter lot inside Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig.
The deed of donation for the new drug rehabilitation facility was signed on Monday by key representatives from Tan-led holding firm Alliance Global Group Inc., the Office of the Cabinet Secretary, Department of Health (DOH), Department of Interior and Local Government and city government of Taguig.
The treatment and rehabilitation center will be run and managed by the DOH. It will offer a wide range of services and amenities such as a physical therapy center, out-patient department building, support building, ward, swimming pool, basketball court and gym.
“Alliance Global expresses its full support to the ongoing drug rehabilitation program of the government. This modern facility is part of the company’s social responsibility in helping the government to accommodate the rising numbers of drug surrenderers and help prepare drug dependents to slowly regain their normal lives in a safe and healthy way,” said AGI executive director Kevin Tan.
As of end-October, nearly 700,000 drug users have voluntarily surrendered on the heels of Pres. Rodrigo Duterte’s all-out war against drug abuse. The government has estimated that four million Filipinos are users of illegal drugs.
On the other hand, there are only 44 DOH-accredited drug rehabilitation centers in the country as of end-2015. Of these, 15 are government-owned and have a combined capacity to accommodate 5,300 in-patients.
Tan’s group through Resorts World Foundation – the beneficiary foundation of integrated gaming resort developer – Travellers International Hotel Group Inc., also earlier broke ground for a drug rehabilitation facility to be built on a 19,909-square meter lot in Malagos, Davao City. This is targeted for completion by end-2017.