DOH to take over drug rehab center
Plans to transfer the administration of Western Visayas Drug Rehabilitation Center (WVDRC) from the Philippine National Police (PNP) to the Department of Health (DOH) is underway following the regular meeting of the Regional Peace & Order Council (RPOC) recently.
During the meeting, presided by Guimaras Gov. JC Rahman A. Nava, who is also RPOC Chairman, he discussed with the members of the council the recommendation of the PNP to transfer the administration, control and supervision of WVDRC and its facilities to the Dept. of Health pursuant to Republic Act 9165.
Iloilo Provincial Police Office Director Supt. Joel Napoleon Coronel said that RA 9165, the Comprehensive Drugs Act, provides that all drug rehabilitation centers in the country must be turned-over to the control and supervision to the Dept. of Health. He added that a memorandum circular was issued by Secretary of Health Francisco Duque, directing all agencies concerned to facilitate the immediate transfer of the drug rehabilitation centers to the DOH.
Coronel also said, to take effect the transfer, a council resolution from RPOC is needed, since the creation of the WVDRC was initiated through the efforts of the then RPOC. A motion was then presented during the meeting endorsing the PNP request and urging the DOH to take over the center which was unanimously approved.
The RPOC meeting also tackled other matters especially on the functionality of Peace & Order Councils (POCs) regionwide since about only 68 percent of the Barangay Peace & Order Councils (BPOCs) are currently functioning. Hence efforts will be made to revive the BPOCs. Updates on the Peace & Order situation in Western Visayas and an update on the Semirara Island oil spill, where clean up efforts are still ongoing, were also discussed.
(PIA 6/E J Bañares)