FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
SENAT.,E 
S.No. 6100 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 2, Section 15 provides: 
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The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and 
instill health consciousness among them. 
Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that develops as a result of a 
terribly frightening, life-threatening, or otherwise highly unsafe experience. PTSD sufferers fe-
experience the traumatic event or events in some way; tend to avoid places, people, or other 
things that remind them of the event; and are especially sensitive to normal life experiences. 
PTSD has only been recognized as a formal diagnosis since 1980. However, it was called by 
different names as early as the American Civil War, when combat veterans were referred to as 
suffering from "soldier's heart." In World War I, symptoms that were generally consistent with 
this syndrome were referred to as "combat fatigue." PTSD has also been called "battle fatigue" 
and "shell shock." 
Statistics regarding this illness show that about 7%-8% of people in the United States will 
likely develop PTSD in their lifetime, with the lifetime occurrence in combat veterans and rape 
victims ranging from 10% to as high as 30%. Somewhat higher rates of this disorder have been 
found to occur in African Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans compared to Caucasians 
in the United States. Some of that difference is thought to be due to higher rates of dissociation 
soon before and after the traumatic event, a tendency for individuals from minority ethnic groups 
to blame themselves, less social support, and an increased perception of racism for those ethnic 
groups, as well as differences between how ethnic groups may express distress. In military 
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populations, many of the differences have been found to be the result of increased exposure to 
combat at younger ages for minority groups. 
Almost half of individuals who use outpatient mental-health services have been found to 
suffer from PTSD. As evidenced by the occurrence of stress in many individuals in the United 
States in the days following the 2001 terrorist attacks, not being physically present at a traumatic 
event does not guarantee that one cannot suffer from traumatic stress that can lead to the 
development ofPTSD. 
PTSD statistics in children and teens reveal that up to more than 40% have endured at 
least one traumatic event, resulting in the development of PTSD in up to 15% of girls and 6% of 
boys. On average, 3%-6% of high school students in the United States and as many as 30%-60% 
of children who have survived specific disasters have PTSD. Up to 100% of children who have 
seen a parent killed or endured sexual assault or abuse tend to develop PTSD, and more than 
one-third of youths who are exposed to community violence (for example, a shooting, stabbing, 
or other assault) will suffer from the disorder. 
In the Philippines, during the aftermath of the devastation brought by Typhoons Ondoy 
and Sendong, a large number of adults and children affected by these natural disasters were 
found to be suffering from PTSD. As such, psychiatrists, psychologists, and special education 
teachers were dispatched by the government and volunteer groups to the affected areas to 
minister to adults and children suffering from PTSD. 
Unfortunately, public awareness on the causes, symptoms, and cure of PTSD remains 
low in this country. A PTSD awareness and prevention health program is especially crucial 
given the recent tide of natural and man-made disasters affecting large populations of people in 
this country. 
This bill seeks to find ways to help victims cope with the detrimental effects of post 
traumatic stress disorder. By knowing the causes of this disorder and providing awareness and 
prevention programs, those suffering from PTSD can be reintegrated into mainstream society. 
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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
SENA,.TJ; 
S.No. 
;.HOO 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
'12 
JI\N 19 
I) 2 :39 
ESTABLISHING A POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER AWARENESS 
AND EDUCATION PROGRAM 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
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SECTION I. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Post Traumatic Stress 
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Disorder Awareness and Education Act." 
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SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to protect and promote 
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the right to health ofthe people and instil health consciousness among them. 
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It is also the policy of the State to promote and protect the physical, moral, spiritual? 
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intellectual, and social well-being of the youth recognizing their vital role in nation-building. 
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SECTION 3. Definition. - As used in this Act, the term Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or 
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PTSD shall refer to an emotional illness that that is classified as an anxiety disorder and that 
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usually develops as a result of a terribly frightening, life-threatening, or otherwise highly unsafe 
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experience 
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SECTION 4. Innovative Assistance for the Identification of, Training on, and 
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Educational Awareness of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. - The Department of Health shall 
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craft programs to improve the identification of patients with post traumatic stress disorders 
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(PTSD), increase awareness of such disorders with the public, and train educators (such as 
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teachers, nurses, social workers, coaches, counselors, and school administrators) on effective 
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PTSD assistance methods. 
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SECTION 5. Public Service Announcements. -
The Secretary of Education, in 
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consultation with the Secretary of Health, shall carry out a program to develop, distribute, and 
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promote the broadcasting of public service announcements to improve public awareness, and to 
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promote the identification and prevention ofPTSD. 
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SECTION 6. PTSD Research and Report. - Not later than 18 months after the date of the 
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enactment of this Act, the Department of Health shall conduct a study on the impact PTSD has 
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on educational advancement and achievement. The study shall-
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(a) determine the prevalence of PTSD among the population and the morbidity and 
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mortality rates associated with PTSD; 
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(b) report on current national and local programs to educate the public about the dangers 
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of PTSD, as well as evaluate the value of such programs; and 
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(c) make recommendations on measures that could be undertaken by the Congress, the 
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Secretary of Education, and the Secretary of Health, to strengthen PTSD awareness programs. 
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SECTION 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision, or part hereof, is held invalid or 
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unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
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valid and subsisting. 
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SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
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order, letter of instmction, administrative order, mle or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
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with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
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SECTION 9. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
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publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
labg 
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