Chinese-built drug treatment and rehabilitation center. (Photos by Zhao Yipu)
General Santos (People’s Daily) - A Chinese-built drug treatment and rehabilitation center has been handed over to the local government in Sarangani, a southern province in Mindanao, in the Philippines.
"The center will offer treatment and rehabilitation for individuals who have fallen victim to drug abuse or dangerous drug dependence," Francisco Duque, secretary of the Philippine Department of Health, said at the inauguration and hand-over ceremony on Monday, Dec. 17, 2018.
The expansive courtyard-style building is designed to meet the needs of drug treatment, education and rehabilitation. It has 150 beds, covers three hectares and has a floor area of 6,700 square meters.
Chinese-built drug treatment and rehabilitation center. (Photos by Zhao Yipu)
EPC contractor China State Construction Engrg. Corp. Ltd built the center as part of an agreement between the Chinese and Philippine governments. It was finished in just 11 months from the groundbreaking ceremony in January until its completion on Nov. 30, 2018.
“I am so glad to be here again,” said Jin Yuan, Chinese embassy Economic and Commercial Counsellor, who was at the groundbreaking ceremony. "It's a center of hope and new life. The completion of the center shows the Chinese government will never let Filipinos down," said Jin.
Chinese-built drug treatment and rehabilitation center. (Photos by Zhao Yipu)
Steve Chiongbian Solon, Governor of Sarangani Province, said the rehab center has modern facilities while offering a pleasant environment. “We call it a gift from China for anti-drug business in the Philippines,” said Steve.
“I thank China three times every day,” said Aristides Concepcion Tan, Regional Director of DOH ROXII, while expressing his gratitude to the Chinese government. “The center will help the Philippine government carry out anti-drug business, better protect people’s health and cultivate responsible citizens,” Tan said.
Chinese-built drug treatment and rehabilitation center. (Photos by Zhao Yipu)
According to Chen Wenjian, chairman of China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) international operations, the center was built using local equipment and tools and consists of local furniture and medical equipment. “Almost 450 local workers and management staff were employed during the construction process,” said Chen.
The project team also took part in community activities like building a basketball court for the Sarangani PNP and a fence for the Kawas National High School. “Through the joint management of China and the Philippines, the project was completed to a high quality and standard,” said Yao Shanfa, the project director of CSCEC.
Chinese-built drug treatment and rehabilitation center. (Photos by Zhao Yipu)
In October 2016, Filipino president Duterte visited Beijing and reached an agreement with China on the building of drug rehabilitation centers in the Philippines. In 2017, the Chinese and Philippine governments announced that China would help build two drug rehabilitation centers in Sarangani and Agusan del Sur in the southern Philippines. According to CSCEC, the other one in Agusan del Sur will be finished by March 2019.
