BACOLOD CITY — The Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) and the city government have entered into an agreement for the board’s PHP10-million financial assistance for the construction of the PHP35-million Bacolod City Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (BCDTRC).
The remaining PHP25-million funding requirement will be shouldered by the city government.
The signing of the memorandum of agreement and the turn-over of the check between DDB Chairman Catalino Cuy and Mayor Evelio Leonardia was held at the Bacolod City Government Center on Friday noon.
The groundbreaking rites for the drug rehabilitation facility in Barangay Alijis followed in the afternoon.
“We would like to thank Secretary Cuy for this gift to the City Bacolod. This comes even more relevant and meaningful for Bacolod as it is taken as a recognition for the participation of the city government and its officials in the campaign against illegal drugs,” Leonardia said.
Cuy said the ownership of the drug rehabilitation belongs to Bacolod, which the DDB chose to receive the financial assistance because of its capacity to deliver a successful implementation of the project.
“It is important for drug dependents to feel that they are being cared for by the community and their family. They should be welcomed and given a second chance,” he added.
The BCDTRC, which will rise on the city government-owned property adjacent to the City Agriculture Office Demo Farm, will include an administration building, male and female quarters, multi-purpose and mess building, and pavilion.
The facility will accommodate drug surrenderers with severe substance use disorder.
The allocation of PHP10-million will be used for the construction of the PHP6.7-million male and female quarters on a 319-square meter space, and for the PHP3.3-million administration building on a 140-square meter lot.
The 52-bed sleeping quarters will be assigned to 26 males and 26 females. The comfort rooms will have three showers and two water closets or flush toilets each for males and females.
Under the agreement, the host-local government unit will prepare the plans and specifications, program of works, and detailed estimates in accordance with the general plans and specifications provide by the DDB.
The project implementation will begin within 30 days from the signing of the agreement and the receipt of the financial assistance.
The final completion of the project is expected within two years from the date of the notice to proceed issued by the city government to the successful bidder, the agreement added.
Among the other officials present during the signing and groundbreaking ceremonies were Undersecretary Earl Saavedra, executive director of DDB; Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Western Visayas Regional Director Emerson Margate; Bacolod City Lone District Rep. Greg Gasataya; and Senior Supt. Francisco Ebreo, acting director of Bacolod City Police Office. (Nanette Guadalquiver/PNA)
