LINGAYEN—The establishment of a drug rehabilitation center for lightly and moderately-affected drug personalities to be funded and operated by the provincial government is finally in the works.

This became evident after the formal donation of a two-hectare property located in Barangay San Vicente, Burgos owned by the Cabiles family to the provincial government.

The deed of donation was signed on January 30 by Belen Cabiles, widow of the late former Burgos Mayor Demetrio Cabiles, and their only heir, Aldrin Cabiles, a lawyer at the provincial capitol.

The deed of donation was accepted by Gov. Amado Espino III. Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Calimlim and Burgos Mayor Alberto Guiang Jr. stood as witnesses.

Espino said the provincial government has set aside P8 million for the project and expects the construction to start in March to be completed on or before the third quarter this year.

The widow of the late Mayor Cabiles said the donation was in fulfillment of the wish of her late husband that the lot be donated to the province to be used as a drug rehabilitation center.

In fact, the late Mayor Cabiles already donated the lot to the province in 1992 during the administration of then Governor Rafael Colet but the donation was not perfected as Colet later lost in his reelection bid.

Initial construction of the drug rehab center was initiated by then Vice Governor Gonzalo T. Duque whom Colet designated as chairman of the Provincial Drug Abuse Council (PDAC).

It was funded by the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of  then Senator Joseph Estrada.

The structures remain in the area but it is doubtful if these can still be used owing to its decrepit condition due to the length of time that passed since these were put up.

He said the provincial government will bankroll the drug rehab center but expects the national government to help.

At the same time, Espino said he will also ask the Philippine Army to help since he will propose that the facility will also function as a boot camp for the surrendered drug personalities.

The rehab center is expected to accommodate 200 drug users/pushers at one time.

According to the Pangasinan Police Provincial Office, 19,090 drug personalities in Pangasinan have surrendered. (Leonardo Micua)

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