The Treatment & Rehabilitation Center – CARAGA started with the vision of
our vigorous Regional Director for the people in CARAGA region, which is practically
her domain.
Regional Director Leonita P. Gorgolon has visualized a Regional Health
Department that is responsive to all the health concerns of her people. Addiction to
substances, as considered by experts, is a disease that needs equal attention similar
to all other inflictions, hence the creation of this TRC.
As with all other symbolisms, the vision of TRC’s creation shone bright like a
rainbow after a storm and came into full fruition when the Department’s top
executives fully supported the idea and the local government of Surigao donated 1-
hectare of land for its establishment.
In November 2008, the DOH Office of Special Concerns, through Assistant
Secretary Elmer G. Punzalan, released sub-allotment funds for the construction of a
DOH- TRC in Caraga Region to address the pressing drug abuse problem in the
region as evidenced by the result of the National Mandatory Drug Testing Program
of the DepED in partnership with the CHED and Department of Health for
Secondary and Tertiary Schools in 2005 and 2007 respectively placing Caraga
Region as among those regions with the highest number of students who tested
positive to the drug testing kits. A recent survey conducted to all provincial and city
jails revealed that 25% to 75% of the inmates’ crimes are drug related.
Department of Health Treatment and Rehabilitation Center – Caraga (DOH
TRC-Caraga) is a treatment and rehabilitation facility is mandated by virtue of
Republic Act 9165 also known as the “Dangerous Drugs Act of 1997” toward the
establishment of programs and services that will address the need of the citizens of
the Republic of the Philippines who were into the illegal use of prohibited drugs.