LAS PIÑAS CITY — President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Thursday, December 13, led the inauguration of the Las Piñas Drug Rehabilitation Center donated by Former Senate President Manny Villar and his wife, Senator Cynthia Villar.
In his speech during the inauguration held at Bgy. Daniel Fajardo in Las Piñas, the President greeted the former Senate President on the occasion of his birthday, “I would like to take this opportunity to first greet Senator Villar, Manny, my Speaker, on his birthday. It is indeed an occasion to celebrate not only his natal day but also his meaningful contributions to our nation’s overall advancement.”
President Duterte also dubbed Manny Villar as the “true epitome of diligence and hard work,” who came from humble beginnings but managed to succeed.
“Coming from a poor family, Senator Villar used his hardships as an inspiration to push through and persevere. I recognize his admirable determination to become what he is today despite his humble beginnings. Nakakatuwa talaga ang istorya niya,” he said to the former senator.
“Indeed, his sipag at tiyaga should remain a guidepost for every Filipino in reaching and realizing his aspirations in life. Let us emulate these traits so that we may also succeed as millionaires, I think, or billionaires — no, succeed in our respective interests and pursuits, “the President continued.
The Chief Executive thanked the Villar Family for their efforts in helping the administration’s campaign against illegal drugs. The President remarked that the newly established rehabilitation center is an evident testament to the Villars’ “continued efforts to uplift the lives of many Filipinos.”
He then further noted that the newly inaugurated drug rehab center could help transform drug-dependent individuals into fully responsible and productive members of the society.
The drug rehabilitation center is composed of a two-storey building for female patients with an 86-bed capacity and a three-storey building for male patients with a 158-bed capacity. The facility is fitted with isolation rooms, a doctor’s room, and a laboratory room. It also has a kitchen area and a dining area which can be converted into an area to hold seminars.
The Villar family also created a 12-week alternative livelihood training program for drug surrenderees that is focused on agri-farming.
