MANILA, Philippines – Starting 2018, the Central Luzon State University (CLSU) in Nueva Ecija will implement continuing education and training programs for drug dependents admitted into the 10,000-bed mega treatment and rehabilitation center (TRC) in Fort Magsaysay.

With a P10-million grant from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the state university will develop short instructional modules using different modalities of instruction (online, face-to-face) for patients who want to complete their education or learn skills needed to be productive citizens in their communities.

In a statement, CHED commissioner and spokesperson Prospero de Vera III said drug dependents can join the program after completing the health department’s intervention program.

“These short-term courses will run parallel to and as a complement for courses conducted by [Technical Education and Skills Development Authority] in the facility. Certificates of Completion for the continuing education program will be awarded by CLSU to successful trainees,” he added.

There are also plans to develop within the 11-hectare compound an area suitable for agriculture, fisheries, and other livelihood course trainings.

Drug dependents who have completed the program will be given an agriculture and fisheries start-up kit that will help them start their livelihood.

According to De Vera, this CHED project will be replicated by other state universities and colleges “in areas where mega drug rehabilitation facilities will be constructed in the future.”

It is unclear, however, if government will build more mega drug rehabilitation facilities in the country. As it is, government has barely filled the facility in Nueva Ecija. (READ: Sotto: Nueva Ecija facility can be used as mega drug enforcement academy)

Earlier this year, officials from the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Department of Health had already said government would not be continuing with the concept of a “mega rehab.” – Rappler.com