Transferring the Operation of the Government’s Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Centers and Program Nationwide to the Department of Health

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of Executive Order No. 273

Transfer of Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Centers to the Department of Health (DOH)
- The existing government drug treatment and rehabilitation centers (TRCs) operated by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) are transferred to the DOH. (Section 1)
- The TRCs transferred include:
    - PNP TRCs in Bicutan, Iloilo, Albay, and Cebu
    - NBI TRCs in Tagaytay, Cagayan de Oro, and Cebu
- The transfer includes corresponding logistics, such as Maintenance Operating and Other Expenses, Personnel Services, and equipment.

Transition Committee
- A Transition Committee is created to assist the DOH in implementing the order. (Section 2)
- The committee is composed of:
    - DOH (Chair)
    - Department of Interior and Local Government
    - Department of Justice
    - Department of Budget and Management
    - Private Sector Representative of the Dangerous Drugs Board
- The committee's responsibilities include:
    - Ensuring the actual resource transfer from PNP and NBI to the DOH, including newly constructed buildings.
    - Ensuring that no personnel are displaced and are given the option to stay with their mother units.
    - Ensuring the smooth turnover/transition of administration and control of the identified areas to the DOH.

Funding
- An initial amount of ₱350 million from the ₱1 billion standby fund for the Anti-Dangerous Drugs Campaign is allotted to the DOH to immediately assume the mandate to operate existing government TRCs in 2004 and improve treatment and rehabilitation programs. (Section 3)
- The current allotment for TRCs operated and maintained by the PNP and NBI shall be transferred to the DOH in the General Appropriation Act (GAA) for Fiscal Year 2005.
- The Department of Budget and Management shall identify the specific allotments, including personnel salaries and Maintenance, Operating and Other Expenses.
- An additional ₱300 million shall be included in the GAA for Fiscal Year 2005 for the DOH to hire additional personnel, train/improve capability of existing personnel, modernize/expand existing facilities, and establish more TRCs, especially in regions where there are none.

Separability Clause and Effectivity
- If any provision is declared invalid, the other provisions shall remain in full force and effect. (Section 4)
- The Executive Order takes effect immediately. (Section 5)