Rationale and Legal Bases
Republic Act (RA) 9165 otherwise known as "Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002, mandates the Department of Health to regulate, oversee and monitor the integration, coordination and supervision of all drug rehabilitation, intervention, aftercare and follow-up programs, projects and activities as well as the establishment, operations, maintenance and management of Drug Abuse Treatment Rehabilitation Centers nationwide.
With the heightened campaign of the government against illegal drugs, the number of drug dependents who have voluntarily surrendered to the authorities continues to grow. In 2003, there were 6000 institutionalized drug dependents in treatment and rehabilitation centers out of the estimated 1.8 million chronic drug users nationwide. During that year, Executive Order No. 273 was signed.
Executive Order No. 273, s. 2004: Transferring the Operation of the Government's Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Centers and Program Nationwide to the Department of Health Under Article VIII, Section 76 of RA 9165, The Duties and Responsibilities of the Department of Health (DOH) Under this Act.
The Dagupan Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (Dagupan DTRC), located in Binloc, Dagupan City and is a 300-bed capacity residential in-patient facility catering only to male drug dependents. It has an Out-Patient and After Care Service catering to male, female and adolescent client. The San Fernando La Union Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (SFLU TRC), located inside the Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center (ITRMC) compound, will complement the services of the Dagupan DTRC as the SFLU TRC will have a 100-bed capacity residential in-patient facility only for female drug dependents, with Out-Patient and After Care Services catering to male, female and adolescent patients.
The site of the SFLU TRC is a 4,850 meters squared parcel of land situated at Barangay Parian, City of San Fernando La Union, at the back of ITRMC. On May 19, 2016, this lot was donated through a Deed of Donation to the DOH-RO1 (represented by Dr. Myrna C. Cabotaje, RD) by the Hon. Gov. Manuel C. Ortega on behalf of the Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU) under Sangguniang Panlalawigan Resolution No. 175-2016 dated April 28, 2016.
On July 19, 2019, Dr. Herminigilda Dumaguin-Salangad was appointed as the first Chief-of-Hospital of the SFLU TRC facility.