China, Philippines break ground on drug rehab center in Sarangani

January 13, 2018

Officials from the China Embassy and Department of Health officiated on Friday the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the P350-million grant-aid Dangerous Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center in Sarangani Province.

The drug rehab center in Alabel town in Sarangani would be the first Chinese grant aid construction project in the Philippines. The second facility will be built in Agusan del Sur.

The Chinese Embassy’s Economic and Commercial Counsellor Jin Yuan who was present during the event said the project is the fruit of President Rodrigo Duterte’s state visit in China in 2016.

“The Chinese government will always extend a helping hand when our close neighbor and friend is in need,” Jin said, as he mentioned China’s provision of cash assistance after the earthquake in Surigao City, machine and equipment grants for the rehabilitation of Marawi, and the financial assistance for the areas struck by typhoon Vinta.

“I believe under President Duterte’s leadership, together with the efforts of the Philippine people, the disaster-affected areas will soon be rebuilt into even better places,” he said in his remarks.

“China will continue mutual beneficial cooperation with our Philippine counterparts. I believe with our joint efforts, we will share a very bright future together,” said Jin.

The gross floor area of each center is 6750 square meters, which could fit approximately 150 beds. Each center would house an admission or administration building, a pavilion or transition villa, a staff house and motor pool building, a male and female Dormitory building, and a multi-purpose covered court among others.

The construction of the rehabilitation centers is estimated to finish within 21 months. The Chinese government tapped state-owned China State Construction Engineering Corp. Ltd. to build the facility in a three-hectare lot in Alabel municipality.

he Chinese Embassy and Department of Health signed a memorandum of understanding for the project’s funding and implementation after a Chinese technical team visited the country in March last year.

Also present during the groundbreaking rites were Sarangani Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon and Mayor Vic Paul Salarda who expressed their appreciation to the Chinese government. DMS