Rehab applications can be filed all over Central Visayas
Families of drug dependents in the provinces of
This as the Dangerous Drugs Board recently deputized 11 representatives throughout the region to act on applications for voluntary rehabilitation for drug abuse.
Ceres Geromo, Parole and Probation Administration information officer said that from July 1 to 3, DDB conducted an orientation for the 11 DDB representatives who are from the different
Geromo said it was only last September when applications for such petitions could already be filed in the Cebu PPA regional office. Prior to that, family members or the drug dependents themselves had to file such petitions only in the Manila DDB.
Here in the Region 7, PPA-7 director Ofelia Quijano was the only DDB agent until the orientation of the 11 deputized representatives.
The roles of a DDB representative include receiving and verifying applications for voluntary confinement for treatment and rehabilitation, order the drug dependency examination of the applicant or the person in whose behalf the application is filed by a Department of Health-accredited physician, order temporary confinement which shall not exceed 15 days for the drug dependent, file the petition for and on behalf of the board with the appropriate court and designate the center for confinement or assignment of DOH accredited physician.
Here in the region, the rehabilitation may be at the
Geromo said the voluntary confinement program is meant to give drug dependents the chance to be rehabilitated even before they are caught.
Normal procedures of rehabilitation begin upon the order of the court and already after the apprehension of a drug dependent.
A provision of the Dangerous Drugs Act states that a drug dependent under voluntary submission program who will be finally discharged as rehabilitated by the Center shall be exempt from criminal liability.
However, those who are discharged as rehabilitated but do not qualify for exemption from criminal liability will be charged but placed on probation and will have to do community service in lieu of imprisonment.
Geromo said he or she may even be fined by the court without prejudice to the outcome of any pending case filed.
From last September 13 to last June 24 in the region alone, 39 petitions for voluntary confinement were filed in court while 126 verified applications were received from 147 clients given application forms.
The new DDB representatives include assistant PPA-7 regional director Godofredo Apolinar and Bernadette Garcia for Cebu City, CPPO representative Laura Blando for Talisay City, Melba Momongan for Danao City, CPPO Jose Catabas for Mandaue City, Corazon Comeros for Cebu Province, Mae Lumogdang for Oriental Negros, Mario Ouano for Lapu-Lapu City, Dionisio Verzano for Dumaguete City, Ricardo Abucejo for Bohol Province and Rose Eileen Dumale for Tagbilaran City.
Applicants are required to submit an accomplished verified application form and drug dependency examination report. — Ferliza C. Contratista/BRP
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