PHL, Japan sign program for drug rehab

The governments of the Philippines and Japan have signed a cooperation to support the health component of the Duterte administration’s war on drugs, Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhide Ishikawa said during the General Membership Meeting of the Makati Business Club (MBC) Friday. (Photo: Embassy of Japan in the Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA—The governments of the Philippines and Japan have signed a cooperation to support the health component of the Duterte administration’s war on drugs, Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhide Ishikawa said during the General Membership Meeting of the Makati Business Club (MBC) Friday.

Kazuhide said he signed the Programme for the Consolidated Rehabilitation of Illegal Drug Users (CARE) with Acting Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo Thursday.

The Japanese envoy noted that the program involves developing treatment facilities, formulating treatment programs, developing human resources, and conducting promotional activities.

He did not state the value of Japan’s support for the program.

During his state visit here in January, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe vowed to give the Philippines one trillion yen or less than USD9 billion as official development assistance, which will include help in the form of facilities and treatment program.

Prior to the signing of the program to support the drug rehabilitation component of the administration, Kazuhide said Health Secretary Dr. Paulyn Ubial and other senior officials of the Department of Health visited Japan from Feb. 26 to March 3.

Aside from Japan, China had earlier committed some USD50 million to build two drug rehabilitation centers in Mindanao, with each facility having 150 beds.