FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPl'BLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third Regular Session 
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SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 3360 
Introduced by Senator Manny B. Villar 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
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The World Health Organization defines mental health as 
"a state of complete 
physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease". It is 
related to the promotion of well-being, the prevention of mental disorders, and the 
treatment and rehabilitation of people affected by mental disorders." 
The United Nations Children's Fun (UNICEF) promotes the concept of mental 
health care as an integral part of primary health care services. 
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) of the Unitej States, 
mental illness usually begins early in life. In addition, between 8 and 13 million children 
and teenagers have a mental health problem at any given time, as revealed 
in an 
article by the U.S. News & World Report. And sadly, two-thirds of them are not getting 
treatment for their mental health issues. 
Early intervention is imperative to give children the best developmental, 
behavioral and adaptive outcomes that will allow them to function properly in society 
despite their limitations. 
The proposed legislation aims to put in place a comprehensive and coordinated 
children's mental health policy that would provide the directions and interventions that 
must be undertaken by and among concerned agencies in an effective and timely 
manner. 
This early intervention approach would not only improve the condition of 
children with mental disorders, but also lessen reliance on special education and 
developmental disability services that prove to be costly. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Third Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 3360 
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Introduced by SENATOR MANNY VILLAR 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR A COMPREHENSIVE ACCESSIBLE AND AFFORDABLE EARLY 
DETECTION AND TIMELY INTERVENTION SERVICES FOR CHILDREN WITH 
MENTAL ILLNESS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled. 
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Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Early Detection and 
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Interv ~ntion Services for Children with Mental Illness Act" 
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Section 2. Declaration of Policy. -
It is the policy of the State to adopt an 
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integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which shall endeavor to 
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make essential goods, health and other social services available to all the people at 
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affordable cost 
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Section 3. Definition of Terms. The following terms shall mean: 
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a. Mental Illness shall mean any of various psychiatric conditions, usually 
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characterized by impairment of a child's normal cognitive, emotional, or hehavioral 
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functioning, and caused by physiological or psychosocial factors. 
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b. Intervention shall mean educational methods and positive behavioral support 
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strategies designed to improve the condition of a child suffering from mental 
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disorder. 
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Section 4. The Department of Health shall undertake to develop a program 
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providing for comprehensive accessible and affordable early mental health detection 
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and timely intervention services for children. The objectives of this program includes but 
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not limited to the following: 
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a. To increase awareness, reduce barriers to screening and diagnosis, promote 
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evidence-based interventions for children with mental disorder or other 
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developmental disabilities. 
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b. To build a qualified and adequately trained workforce prepared to provic'e mental 
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health services for children and their families. 
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c. To conduct a comprehensive, multi-faceted public awareness campaign to 
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reduce the stigma of mental illness and educate families, the general public, and 
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other key audiences about the benefits of children's social and emotional 
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development, and how to access services .. 
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d. To create a quality-driven children's mental health system with shared 
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accountability among agencies and programs that conducts ongoing needs 
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assessments, uses outcome indicators and benchmarks to measure progress, 
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and implements quality data tracking and reporting system. 
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Section 5. The Department of Health shall promulgate the necessary rules and 
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regulations to carry out the provisions of this Act. 
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Section 6. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid 
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or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall 
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remain valid and subsisting. 
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Section 7. Repealing Clause. -
Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
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exeCL tive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to, 
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or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended 
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accordingly. 
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Section 8. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
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its complete publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
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Approved, 
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