The agency through has no definite timeframe when to construct the rehab center, but Vera Cruz assured the region is a concern for the project.
At present, the drug dependents from the region are brought to private rehabilitation centers or government rehab centers in other regions like Bicutan or Tagaytay.
The DDB has focused on the region, which is also one of the pilot areas for the alternative livelihood development program, which aims to persuade farmers to abandon planting illegal plants by providing them other sources of income.
The alternative livelihood program was initiated in Kapangan, Benguet, where the DDB provided P1 million for the town's sericulture industry.
Kapangan was piloted for the program, as the town was once tagged the country's marijuana capital.
Bakun and Kibungan, also among the distant localities in the province, are also eyed as expansion sites for the program. Some areas in these towns are also said to be the sites of marijuana plantations.
Vera Cruz said officials of the three towns, once the expansion is implemented, will be toured to Thailand, one of the countries which belongs to the so-called Golden Triangle, to find out how the alternative livelihood program of the government succeeded in eliminating the opium trade.
The Golden Triangle, which includes Thailand, Burma, Laos and Vietnam, is one of the main illicit opium-producing areas in Asia.
Kibungan Mayor Benito Siadto earlier welcomed the DDB expansion to his city, for want of alternative livelihood for farmers.
Kapangan is now venturing into raw silk weaving. Former Kapangan mayor, now Board Member Rogelio Leon said Bakun and Kibungan would serve as production sites for cocoon, which will be brought to Kapangan for weaving.
