Private sector urged to invest in drug rehabilitation centers

Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte, vice chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations is urging the private sector to get involved in the Duterte administration’s drug rehabilitation initiatives by investing in the construction of drug rehabilitation centers and the training of skilled personnel who will man these centers.

“Even in other countries like the United States, investors are pouring money into the construction of drug rehabilitation and treatment centers. With the Duterte administration’s war on drugs, demand for these facilities will remain high as hundred of thousands of drug dependents surrender to the authorities and seek treatment,” he said.

The convenor of the House bloc of first-term legislators said that to effectively deal with the drug scourge, the drug rehabilitation centers should be well-equipped and manned with doctors and other medical personnel, addiction specialists, social workers and counselors.

“The quality and effectiveness of the treatment that drug dependents will receive in drug rehab centers will depend on the skills of the staff manning the center,” Villafuerte said.

He challenged private companies to follow the example of San Miguel Corp., which donated 11 billion to the government for the construction of drug rehabilitation centers last year.

“Big companies can either donate or implement projects, as part of their CSR (corporate social responsibility) for drug rehabilitation. An even better option is for them to invest in these facilities. Investors get to help the government in its war against illegal drugs and save lives in the process, while being assured of high returns on their investments,” Villafuerte said.