PB set to discuss plans on new rehabilitation center

CEBU, Philippines - Provincial Board member Arleigh Sitoy is set to echo to other members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan the discussions that were made in a recent week-long study program he attended in New York,USA on drug rehabilitation.

"It was worth it," shared Sitoy, assuring that the information he got from the study program would be of great help to the province, particularly in their plan to put up another rehabilitation center.

Sitoy said that he visited different rehabilitation institutions and observed how they are being manned.

"Ang mga bata didto, 13-18 years old, naay skwelahan. Ang ilang mga maestro, mga former (substance users) pod. They earned degrees in college," he added.

He pointed out that the Therapeutic Community (TC), a family-based approach of treatment to substance abusers, will be effective in the country.

Sitoy is set to present his findings before the Provincial Board on Monday.

The findings, he said, will be used in crafting an ordinance to establish another provincial rehabilitation center under a public-private partnership (PPT) arrangement.

He further reiterated that the lack of rehabilitation centers has been their concern.

There is only one government-owned drug treatment and rehabilitation facility in the province.

Sitoy pursued travelling to the US despite nine other PB members backing out from the trip following criticisms hurled against them considering that the provincial government would be paying for their expenses. But deeming it was a useful study program, Sitoy pushed through with the trip and paid for his own expenses.

 "Akong pamasin nga kung ang gobyerno pa ang mibayad sa PB, worth it pod," he stressed.

On registration fee alone for the workshop on "Therapeutic Community (TC) Model for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Substance Abusers" in Daytop Village, the provincial government would have had spent $1, 500 for each official plus all other expenses. (FREEMAN)