LINGAYEN—In response to the totally unexpected turnout of almost 700,000 drug personalities that surrendered, the Duterte administration is set to construct four big drug rehabilitation centers across the country this year as part of the government’s all-out narco war.

This was announced by Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueno at the Pangasinan Anti-Illegal Drugs Summit last Friday, pointing out that two will be built in Luzon and one each in Visayas and Mindanao.

He said President Duterte has approved funds for this project.

The big centers, with 1,000 to 1,500 bed capacity will cost more than P300-million each while smaller ones, the community rehabilitation centers, with 300 to 500 bed capacity will cost about P150 million to P200-million each, he said.

He said they can already start construction of the smaller ones, adding that a big center in Nueva Ecija is now under construction.

Another center is being constructed but funded by a donation from someone from outside the country. “This is big, I think it will reach billion,” he added. He, however, did not mention the location.

Sueno said the government also received several commitments from the private sector to support President Duterte’s campaign. He mentioned the P1-billion pledge of San Miguel Corporation.

In a meeting last week in Malacanang, Sueno said the taipans promised to build smaller rehabilitation centers in all the regions of the country.

He said he conceptualized the Masa Masid or people watch, which stands for Mamamayan Ayaw Sa Anomalya, Mamamayan na Ayaw Sa Iligal na Droga, an umbrella organization for all the private and government organizations to institutionalize volunteerism in the barangay.

“By December we envision that problems on drugs, corruption and criminality shall have been substantially reduced,” he said.

Meanwhile, PNP Chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa, whose message was read by Chief Superintendent Gregorio Pimentel, Region 1 police regional director, he said, “With the six months given us by the President to finish the job of ridding our streets and communities of illegal drugs, we have, so far, scored tremendously in this campaign.”

He added,” But we are not even halfway yet, and this only shows how deep and wide the illegal drug problem has affected our country. It is not only alarming, it is extremely disturbing.”

In Region 1, the police have visited and knocked 32, 211 houses in pursuit of Oplan Tokhang.  As a result, 29,424 drug personalities have surrendered to the police. A total of 591 have also been arrested, while 29 were killed during police operations.

Dela Rosa’s message also said that 16 policemen have died during police operations in different parts of the country.

“For every life of policeman sacrificed in implementing laws, our spirit is lifted in fighting and ending illegal drug problem,” it said.

Gov. Amado Espino III said   all the anti-drug abuse councils from the barangays to the cities and municipalities have been activated following Mr. Duterte’s intensified campaign against illegal drugs.

He committed his support for a drug-free Pangasinan and drug-free Philippines. (Tita Roces)

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