REHAB CENTER FOR DRUG DEPENDENTS EYED

June 28, 2024 Metro BLISTT

BAGUIO CITY

The city is set to established a treatment and rehabilitation center for drug dependents, in compliance with Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 The establishment of the drug facility is based on a
proposed ordinance by Councilor Leandro Yangot Jr., to be named “Balay Namnama,” this center will provide various rehabilitation services to drug dependents to help them recover and reintegrate into society. The Ilocano word “balay” translates to “home,” while the Ilocano word “namnama” signifies “a new chance” or “transformation” in English. The term “Balay Namnama” embodies the concept of metamorphosis.

The Balay Namnama will operate as a residential facility dedicated to the treatment and rehabilitation of individuals with drug dependency and may offer vocational training, technical education, and skills training to support the rehabilitation process. Under the ordinance, the Balay Namnama Office will be established. It will serve as the
central operational and administrative body responsible for managing the rehabilitation center. It will be directly attached to the City Mayor’s Office and the City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (CADAC).

The Balay Namnama Office will consist of three units: Administrative Unit, Residential Detoxification Unit, and
Aftercare Unit. They will be headed by a Program Director who holds a rank equivalent to an assistant department head to be appointed by the city mayor. The Program Director will manage the programs, projects, services, and activities of the center. The staff under the Program Director includes an accredited on-call-medical officer, licensed nurses or midwives, licensed social workers, psychologists or psychometricians, clerks or administrative aides, house
parents, and a nutritional dietitian.

The duration or rehabilitation, confinement, and treatment in the center will be determined by court orders from
regular jurisdictions or evaluations conducted by licensed physicians. The Manual of Operations for the center will be drafted and implemented by the Program Manager with the approval by the city mayor, head of the City Health Services Office (CHSO), and the CADAC Action Officer. This manual will set forth the minimum requirements for
individuals to access the center’s services. For Baguio residents classified as indigent, rehabilitation services will be
free of charge. If the applicant’s income or their immediate family’s income exceeds the poverty threshold by 50% or
less, they will be charged a monthly rate of P3,000,00.

Those whose income surpasses the poverty threshold by more than 50% will be charged P5,000.00 monthly. Fees collected from resident drug dependents will contribute directly to the operational costs of the center. Non-resident drug dependents can avail of rehabilitation services at a monthly fee of P15,000.00 with additional responsibility for any incurred medical treatment costs. This cost structure will ensure that care remains accessible and affordable while aligning with financial means and residency status. Under the ordinance, the center may form partnerships with registered learning institutions through a Memorandum of Affiliation to facilitate the learning and training of students in various fields such as health, criminology, and social sciences.

This will enhance educational opportunities and contribute to the development of expertise in various areas. The City Mayor’s Office will allocate funds to cover personnel salaries, operational expenses, and capital outlay necessary for the office’s operation. A special account will be created where all funds collected will be deposited. It can be utilized for direct and indirect service costs, procurement of supplies, and day-to-day operations of the center. The proposed ordinance has been approved on first reading and referred to the Baguio City Council’s Committee on Public Works for review.

Jordan G. Habbiling/SP