COUNCILOR Reuben Daba proposed on August 22 a resolution to fast-track the establishment of a rehabilitation center in Cagayan de Oro City and urged the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) to cover its costs.
In a letter to PhilHealth Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ramon Aristoza Jr., Daba not only asked the state-owned insurance company to cover the expenses of the construction of a rehab center but also included the dental treatment of the self-confessed drug users or pushers.
"In order to push through with the said rehabilitation, there is a budget problem wherein by average standard, the rehab cost per individual is about P80,000. Dili gyud kini makaya sa isa ka indibidwal, so we need the assistance of the government," Daba said.
Daba said dental services should also be included since most of the drug users have damaged teeth.
"Kung tan-awon nato ang nag-respond, guba na ilang ngipon, kay ang mahitabo man gud ana, dry kaayo unya ma-irritate ang gums, so we need also to rehabilitate their teeth, para i-detoxify ang oral cavity. We included this kay kalooy man kayo nga naay stigma, especially that we want them to go back to mainstream," he added.
Daba also seeks the support of the two congressmen of the city: first district representative Klarex Uy and second district Representative Maxi Rodriguez to hasten the proposed resolution.
The problem on the rehabilitation center has been observed when a rise of drug users and pushers submit themselves to authorities who vowed to change their lives.
In Cagayan de Oro City, there is only one government-owned drug treatment and rehabilitation center (TRC) located in the boundary of Barangay Maitum in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon and Upper Puerto, Cagayan de Oro.
Erwin Rommel Lingad, nurse III and TRC health education designation officer, said they have observed an increase in admission since the government intensified its war against illegal drugs, noting that as of August 12, there are now 174 clients being treated inside the rehab, from 162 in July.
The facility however can only house 50 patients and also accept clients from other regions.
Daba said an area somewhere in Barangay Balubal and Indahag has been initially identified as a possible site for the construction of another rehab center.
"Ayuhon pa nato ang Memorandum of Agreement para diha nato ibutang, tan awon pa ang budget pud niini," he said.
In July, Health Secretary Paulyn Ubial said the health department is looking into the said proposal following Senator Vicente Sotto’s Senate Bill 8, which mandates PhilHealth to include drug addiction treatment in its services.