Cebu provincial gov’t eyes rehab center amid rising treatment demand
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol — The provincial government of Cebu is set to establish a drug treatment and rehabilitation facility in Pinamungajan town in response to the increasing number of individuals seeking recovery and rehabilitation services.
The plan was discussed during the second-quarter meeting of the Cebu Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Commission (CPADAC) on Monday, chaired by Gov. Pamela Baricuatro.
Officials identified the Capitol-run, Dr. Jose Ma. V. Borromeo Memorial Hospital in Pinamungajan as the proposed location of the facility, which will be named the New Life Cebu Drug Rehabilitation Center.
The center will initially serve male clients and accommodate up to 25 patients, with expansion plans already being considered.
Data presented before CPADAC showed that the Department of Health–funded Treatment and Rehabilitation Center in Argao handled 1,038 male clients from 2021 to 2025, while the Cebu City rehabilitation facility served 240 female clients during the same period.
READ: DSWD opens rehab center for girls in Cebu
Baricuatro said the growing number of patients and the waiting list for admission highlight the need for another inpatient rehabilitation center in Cebu.
The proposed location within the compound of the provincial hospital in Pinamungajan is also expected to provide patients with easier access to medical services and specialized treatment.
The need for additional rehabilitation facilities has likewise been reinforced by court cases involving plea bargaining agreements that require accused persons to undergo inpatient rehabilitation.
CPADAC also agreed to adopt the Therapeutic Community approach, a rehabilitation model used by existing treatment centers in Argao and Cebu City. The system encourages patients to participate in daily routines and community activities while helping reduce operational costs.
The provincial government is also preparing to recruit medical specialists, psychologists, nurses, and social welfare officers to manage and operate the facility once it is established. /mcm
