BAUKO, Mountain Province (PIA) — The Department of Health in the Cordillera Administrative Region(DOH-CAR) is stepping up interventions to help individuals struggling with drug abuse.
The Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (DATRC) of the DOH located at the Luis Hora Memorial Regional Hospital in Abatan in the municipality of Bauko, inaugurated its outpatient building on November 21, 2024, to provide treatment services to individuals struggling with substance use disorders.
“The inauguration of the outpatient building of the drug abuse treatment and rehabilitation center-Mountain Province is more than just the unveiling of a structure, it is the culmination of our collective determination to create a brighter future for individuals, families and communities affected by drugs,” DOH-CAR Regional Director Ferdinand M. Benbenen said.
The outpatient drug rehab treatment allows drug afflicted individuals to receive therapy and support while living at home. They attend therapy sessions based on the provided schedule.
Services provided are primary care programs with weekly group sessions, individual sessions, and family dialogues. The sessions include cognitive behavioral therapy, psycho education, spiritual enrichment, physical activities, and health awareness advocacy on mental health and drug use.
The center is also open for screening, drug dependency examination, information, education and communications, and technical assistances like trainings and assistance to the Community-Based Drug Rehabilitation Program (CBRP).
Benbenen, DATRC-Mountain Province Chief Dr. Gary Ong, Bauko Mayor Randolf Awisan and Rev. Fr. Marcial Lloyd C. Castañeda, president of the Lifting Everyone, Nurturing the faith, and Guiding souls Altruistically to God (LENG-AG) group, led the ribbon cutting. The local government units LGUs and religious groups are partners of the DOH-DATRC in the delivery of services particularly in the CBRDP and provision of spiritual healing.
The inauguration coincided with the Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Week celebration with the theme, “Prioritizing Health-Based Approach in Drug Abuse Prevention and Control”.
Congressman Maximo Y. Dalog, Jr., represented by Wabilyn Lomong-oy, encouraged stronger collaboration among stakeholders to help those who need medical attention.
“We all continue to partner together especially in the efficient and well-meaning delivery of basic health services to our kakailyan, and to our neighbors coming over to seek medical health,” Lomong-oy relayed.
Meanwhile, Dr. Ong is continuously establishing linkage and partnership aimed towards increasing access to treatment and helping PWUDs recover from addiction.
The DATRC Mt. Province is accredited by the DOH as a “Free-Standing Non-Residential Treatment and Rehabilitation Center.”
The first regional drug rehab center in the Cordillera, it caters to persons who use drugs from the region and neighboring municipalities of Ilocos Sur, of all genders, adults and adolescents, either under court order, referrals or voluntary.**JDP/CVBT-PIA CAR
