AN ESTIMATED 2,000 individuals are being eyed as first occupants of the Mega Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Center in Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija.

In an interview, Department of Health (DOH) Spokesman Dr. Eric Tayag disclosed that they are already planning on who will comprise the first batch of patients in the massive drug rehabilitation facility.

“These are all coming from the overcrowded treatment rehab centers. Parang ire-resettle sila. Voluntary resettlement,” said Tayag.

He related that 500 patients will each be coming from the existing drug rehabilitation facilities in Dagupan, Bataan, Tagaytay, and Bicutan.

“Wala munang babae, lalaki na muna,” added Tayag.

To recall, the DOH had planned to build the facility to house some of the former drug users, who surrendered in the ongoing “Oplan Tokhang” of the Duterte administration.

The mega drug rehabilitation facility was originally scheduled to open Tuesday, November 15, as announced by the DOH last month.

But according to Tayag, they are delaying the opening of the facility for another two weeks.

“The timeline has been reset to November 29...this date is still tentative but we are hoping that it will push through already on November 29,” said the health official.

The delay, according to the DOH official, is caused by several logistical and administrative issues still needing to be ironed out.

“We still have to recruit more people who will be the staff there They will also have to put up pa yong mga fixtures, water, power,” said Tayag. (HDT/Sunnex)