The DOH DATRC Malagos, Davao was made pursuant to Republic Act No. 9165 otherwise known as “The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002” and Executive Order No. 4 dated October 11, 2016 for the establishment and support of Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Centers throughout the Philippines. It was dedicated to the People of Davao Region through the donation of Resorts World Philippines Cultural Heritage Foundation Inc. with land area of 19,909.81 sqm under a Deed of Usufruct from the City Government of Davao and the provision of equipment duly funded by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) through a Memorandum of Agreement with the Department of Health.
In December 2016, the ground breaking ceremony took place in Barangay Malagos, Baguio District, Davao City where the facility will be constructed. Thereafter, a series of both inter agency consultative and regional level meetings were initiated by the Department of Health to facilitate its operationalization among others.
In 2017, the construction of the facility commenced. It was also complemented in 2018 with a constant communication between DOH and Department of Budget and Management for the approval of the request for Human Resource to a 100-bed capacity. In the same year, the DOH transmitted a request for funding support and assistance to PAGCOR for the equipping of the treatment facility.
In 2019, the DBM approved a total of 50 plantilla positions to support the initial operations of the center and PAGCOR in the same year likewise approved the request for funding support. In April 2019, RG Birrey turned over the facility to Resorts World Foundation while the initial batch of hired personnel by DOH assumed office last November 2019 and underwent further capacity enhancement and immersion training.