Chinese, Philippine officials break ground on 2nd drug rehab center in S. Philippines

MANILA - Officials from China and the Philippines formally broke ground on Monday on the second Chinese-financed drug rehabilitation center in Agusan Del Sur Province in the southern Philippines.

Philippine Undersecretary of the Department of Health Roger Tong An and Chinese Embassy's Economic and Commercial Counselor Jin Yuan attended the groundbreaking ceremony.

Representing the Philippine government, An lauded the project and thanked China for its help in the government's relentless fight against illicit drugs.

An expressed hope that the facility will be finished soon so it can be used by the local residents.

In a statement, the Chinese Embassy in Manila said the drug rehabilitation center, which has a floor area of 6,750 square meters, can accommodate approximately 150 beds.

On Jan 12, Chinese and Philippine officials also held a groundbreaking ceremony for a drug rehabilitation center in Sarangani province, also in the southern Philippines.

Economic and Commercial Counselor Jin said the building of the drug rehabilitation centers showed that the new partnership between Beijing and Manila is further strengthening.

Jin said the development of the China-Philippines relationship will eventually benefit people from both countries.

The drug rehabilitation center project in Agusan del Sur is expected to be completed in 21 months.

In October 2016, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte visited Beijing and reached an agreement with China on the building of drug rehabilitation centers in the Philippines. The two sides later announced that China will help build two drug rehabilitation centers in Sarangani and Agusan del Sur, both in the southern Philippines.

The Philippine government under Duterte launched the anti-drug campaign when he assumed the presidency on June 30, 2016.