THE P19.9 million drug rehabilitation center in Maitum, Upper Puerto, funded by the Cagayan de Oro City Government under the administration of Mayor Oscar Moreno will be turned over to the Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday, September 4, in a bid to expand the only government-run treatment and rehabilitation center (TRC) in the region and serve more drug-dependent patients.

The drug rehabilitation center started its construction in 2017.

It has 100 to 150 bed capacity which will be managed by the Department of Health (DOH) -Northern Mindanao, as part of the city's intervention program especially in its campaign against illegal drugs.

Officials from the DOH, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Northern Mindanao regional director Wilkins Villanueva, and city officials are expected to grace the turn over ceremony.

Dr. Benson Go, chief of TRC, said it has been the dream of the TRC to expand, and for several years, they have suffered from lack of infrastructure and overcrowded rooms because of rising patients.

The existing rehabilitation facility, built for 100 clients, is currently housing over 114 patients which caters patients from Zamboanga region, Surigao, Davao, Butuan, and Lanao.