CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Pampanga Governor Lilia “Nanay” Pineda is pursuing a continues referral system for the country’s largest rehab center to accommodate more drug surrenderers from the province to undergo reformation program.
Pineda said the Mega Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (MDATRC) in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija has a 10, 000 bed capacity and currently houses some 300 patients, 40 of whom are from Pampanga.
Through the referral system, she said more drug surrenderers from the province will be helped to get proper treatment and rehabilitation. The 11-hectare facility was built to accommodate drug addicts who willingly surrender to the government.
The governor made the statement during Friday’s (May 26) consultative meeting at the Kingsborough International Convention Center, here, where more than 200 attendees from the different health municipalities, mostly barangay health workers, chiefs of hospitals and other organizations were present.
Dubbed “Enhancing the Health Management in Pampanga- a collaborative effort,” the meet highlighted the progress on health and medical condition of the Dalan Pamagbayu-drug surrenderers. It also aimed to maintain effective alignment of rehab programs at grassroots levels.
Dr. Leonita P. Gorgolon, Department of Health Director IV Region III urged the stakeholders present to work better and collaborate with other authorities in order to successfully achieve its goal.
“We need to put our full attention on our role on how we can properly deliver and report drug surrenderers in our community. And we should work closely together with the PDEA so our records tally with theirs,” she said.
Gorgolon stressed that President Duterte is serious on his all-out war against drugs and corruption while making sure that government services are made accessible to the poor and marginalized sector.
The rehabilitation for drug surrenderers is free of charge for indigents and as well for those with referrals from the local government.
Pineda, meanwhile, encouraged the barangay health workers to promptly report any suspected drug users and drug peddlers in their respective community to prevent reports of “tanim-droga” incidents. ##
Ma. Reina Len Luna
