COTABATO CITY – Lawmakers have introduced a bill that could bring government-run drug treatment and rehabilitation centers to every province in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.
Parliament Bill No. 402, or the Bangsamoro Drug Dependent Treatment and Rehabilitation Centers Act of 2025, was introduced by Member of the Parliament Butch Malang, with several co-authors. The bill aims to provide comprehensive medical, psychological, and reintegration services to drug dependents.
Currently, BARMM lacks fully operational, government-owned rehabilitation centers. Existing facilities, such as Balay Silangan, are mostly reformation centers and do not fully address the medical, psychological, and reintegration needs of drug users, according to the bill’s explanatory note.
Under the bill, each provincial center will provide residential and outpatient treatment, detoxification, medical care, psychological and spiritual counseling, skills training, livelihood programs, family support, and aftercare services.
Each treatment and rehabilitation center would also employ qualified physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, social workers, guidance counselors, and support staff.
The centers will be government-operated under the supervision of the Ministry of Health, in coordination with the Ministries of Public Order and Safety, Social Services and Development, Interior and Local Government, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, and local government units.
The bill also outlines the roles of various agencies: the Ministry of Health will manage operations and staffing; the Ministry of Public Order and Safety will provide law enforcement support; the Ministry of Social Services and Development will oversee aftercare and community reintegration; and the Ministry of Interior and Local Government will coordinate with local anti-drug councils.
Religious and moral guidance consistent with Islamic values may be provided by the Bangsamoro Darul-Ifta’ and the Bangsamoro Endowment, Call, and Guidance Center.
The centers will accept voluntary admissions as well as referrals from courts, law enforcement, and community-based programs, with priority given to residents of the province where the facility is located. The bill also mandates the establishment of community-based rehabilitation programs across BARMM to complement the provincial centers and ensure accessible, culturally appropriate treatment for drug dependents. (LTAIS-Public Information, Publication, and Media Relations Division)
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