Don’t worry, be happy.

Councilor Jesus Canto gave this assurance to residents opposing the planned construction of the Regional Drug Rehabilitation Center in Bonuan Binloc, which is intended to serve not just Pangasinan but the entire Northern Luzon.

The P35-million facility will be built on a three-hectare lot previously occupied by the Dona Teodora Manaois Extension Hospital.

Canto, a doctor, said the fear of Bonuan Binloc residents that wards of the drug rehab center might get out and disturb their community is unfounded because the Department of Health which will manage it, will fully secured the area.

“The people of Bonuan Binloc, especially owners of businesses in the area, should be open-minded and instead feel proud instead that the drug rehab center will be located in their area,” Canto said.

The councilor also said that their fear that Bonuan Binloc will become less attractive to tourists and investors once the drug rehab center is up is unfounded.

On the contrary, he said, the price of real estate in Bonuan Binloc will escalate because the drug rehab center that will be operated as a first class facility.

Canto, formerly the head of the Region 1 Medical Center, said the region is the only one in the country without a drug rehab center of its own.

The center will operate as a dormitory where the wards are charged nominal fees for board and lodging until they are rehabilitated.

The funding for the center has already been included in the proposed 2008 National Budget, according to House Speaker Jose de Venecia, Jr. –LM

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