As the government intensifies its crackdown on illegal drug abuse, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. and Resorts World Philippines Cultural Heritage Foundation Inc. (Resorts World Foundation) led the groundbreaking and capsule laying ceremonies of the recent Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Center in Malagos, Davao City.
Together with their partner agency, the Department of Health and the City Government of Davao, represented by DOH Assistant Secretary for Mindanao Cluster Dr. Abdullah Dumama and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, the simple rites were held sand the pomp and pageantry.
Funded by Resorts World Foundation, (the beneficiary foundation of Travellers International Hotel Group Inc., “Travellers”), the two-story drug rehabilitation building will house an infirmary, administrative office, staff quarters, dormitory, laundry area, dining hall, and recreation area, among others. Its design which has been approved by the DoH is patterned after the existing treatment and rehabilitation centers in the country.
The rehab facility will be built on a 19,909-square-meter property with target completion and delivery on December 2017.
Pagcor Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Andrea Domingo who graced the groundbreaking ceremony said the drug treatment and rehabilitation project came into fruition when Travellers’ Vice Chairman Andrew Tan paid her a courtesy visit in Pagcor.
“He said that he would like to put up two drug rehabilitation centers. We suggested putting one in Davao to service other surrounding areas in Mindanao. We likewise asked Travellers to put the other one in Camp Bagong Diwa,” Domingo said.
Kingson Sian, President of Travellers and Resorts World Foundation, meanwhile, said the drug treatment and rehabilitation project is a manifestation of their support to the government in its fight against illegal drug abuse.
“Today, we are partnering with Pagcor, the local government of Davao and the DoH to establish this world-class center for rehabilitation of drug dependents here in Davao as we hope that this project will serve as a lasting and meaningful contribution to the government’s effort to make our country a better one under the leadership of President Rodrigo Duterte,” Sian said.
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio likewise expressed her gratitude to Resorts World Foundation and Pagcor for choosing their city as the pilot site of the drug treatment and rehabilitation project during the event.
”This facility will enable more drug dependents to wean off their destructive habits, lead more productive lives and contribute to nation-building.
The lady mayor said that with the construction of this facility, “we hope to encourage other localities to find ways to improve their drug rehabilitation centers so we can attain our collective aspirations of a drug-free Philippines."