Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.__________ 
_____________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by Hon. Julienne L. Baronda  
_____________________________________________________________________ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Mental Health among Filipinos has been suffering a significant decline since the pandemic, and is 
now a cause of concern in the country. The catastrophes, climate change, economic inflations, global 
pandemic, the threat of a large-scale war, and other global crises occurring within a short span of time 
have caused people around the world great anxiety and distress. In a 2022 study conducted by 
Hechanova, et al., at the De La Salle University, it was found out that the mental health of various sectors 
in the country has been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Younger generations experience 
great distress, while the older generations to a lesser degree also experience distress and anxiety.1 Also in 
a 2022 global survey, it was found out that the Philippines has the highest number of young people 
experiencing high levels of anxiety and negative emotions associated with the climate crisis.2  
Relatedly, not even the country's Armed Forces are exempt from these circumstances. As a 
matter of fact, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has been in the frontlines of every major 
catastrophe in the country. The war against rebels and extremist, the growing tensions between different 
countries involving territorial disputes and maritime claims, the war on drugs, the pandemic, and the 
looming threat of a large-scale war have always been the major concerns that our armed forces have to 
face on a daily basis which may adversely affect their mental health, and test their mental fortitude.  The 
continuous exposure of our military personnel, whether in combat or otherwise, takes a toll on their 
mental health and well-being. In a study conducted in 2010, one out of every four soldiers has high levels 
of combat-related stress.3  
The effects to the mental health and well-being of our troops by these different factors require 
much attention, otherwise, the same could result to dire consequences. In response, the government has 
increased its efforts to address the desperate need for mental health care amongst military personnel by 
instituting programs to help our troops including but not limited to the V. Luna AFP Medical Center in 
1 https://www.dlsu.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/pdf/research/journals/apssr/2022-March-vol22-1/12-age-covid-
19-and-mental-health-in-the-philippines-a-multidimensional-perspective
2 https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/bjpsych-international/article/climate-change-and-mental-health-in-
the-philippines/2C38EEC4ACC529448C359951B028B1CE
3 Ilagan 2010
May 10, 2023
4:24 pm
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Quezon City and the “Musta ka Tropa Program” initiated by the Camp Panacan Hospital in Eastern 
Mindanao centered on assessing the mental health of soldiers. This notwithstanding, it is clear that mental 
health problem among our troops still requires a far more comprehensive approach.  
Our Armed Forces need our help against an enemy which they are not properly trained nor fully 
equipped to face. An enemy that lingers and strikes at any time, and when our troops are at their most 
vulnerable state.  A battle that our troops cannot win alone, and the casualties are far reaching that it 
extends beyond the confines of their barracks. When our troops need assistance, protection, and support, 
it is up to the people, the public, which they have vowed and sworn to protect to do the same for them.  
Considering these asseverations, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
Rep. Julienne “Jam” L. Baronda 
 District Representative 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.__________ 
_____________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by Hon. Julienne L. Baronda  
_____________________________________________________________________ 
AN ACT ESTABLISHING A MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM FOR ACTIVE 
MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES, A MENTAL HEALTH 
CARE PACKAGE, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
Section 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “KAAGAPAY ACT”. 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy – It is the policy of the State to promote and upkeep the 
mental health of our military personnel in the Armed Forces of the Philippines that plays a vital 
role as one of the pillars of our nation and society. To this end, the State shall adopt an integrated 
and comprehensive approach to mental health development by providing them specialized 
mental health services and benefits which shall be available and accessible to all our military 
personnel.  
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms – For purposes of this Act, the following term is defined as 
follows: 
a.
Troops shall refer to all military personnel in the Armed Forces of the Philippines;
b. PTSD refers to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder suffered by military personnel during
and after service;
c.
Care Package refers to monetary benefits extended by the government to military
personnel solely to assist them in rearing their mental health;
d. Stigma refers to the mindset among group of people involving mental health;
e.
Department refers to the Department of Health;
f.
Mental Health Officer is the duly appointed Mental Health professional by the
Department on every barracks or stations of the AFP within the country;
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g. Mental Health Facilities refer to Mental Health clinics established in each designated 
barracks or stations of the AFP; 
h. Mental Health Professional is a duly appointed registered and licensed psychiatrist 
who is authorized to perform counseling and therapy for every barracks or stations of 
the AFP as determined by the Mental Health Officer; and, 
i. Mental Health Consultation refers to a therapy whereby the appointed mental health 
professional in each barracks will conduct counseling and therapy sessions with a 
member of the troops within or without the clinic in pursuant to the provisions herein 
or as needed. 
 
Sec. 4. Purposes and Objectives. – The purposes and objectives of this Act are the 
following: 
 
(a) 
To provide support to our troops who are experiencing Mental Health problems 
within and outside of service due to combat-related stress and other factors; 
(b) 
To spread mental health awareness, and its negative impact on our troops, and 
their families and peers; 
(c) 
To expand the Mental Health support system among our troops and their families; 
(d) 
To support the current Mental Health programs of the government for our troops; 
(e) 
To ensure that our troops are well-equipped in dealing with their mental stress 
and anxieties while in the service and thereafter; 
(f) 
To promote an environment where facilities and services for dealing with mental 
health problems are readily available; and, 
(g) 
To eradicate the stigma among troops and their family members in dealing with 
mental health problems. 
 
Sec. 5. The Mental Health Officer shall exercise the following powers and functions: 
 
(a) Execute the guidelines, policies and programs approved by the Department and 
Institution pursuant to this act, and be responsible for the efficient discharge of its 
operational functions; 
(b) Direct and supervise the distribution of the Mental Health allowance to our troops 
qualified to receive such benefits; 
(c) Coordinate with the Mental Health facilities and other Mental Health helpline 
system organized by the department to ensure the best approach to implement this 
policy, its programs and guidelines; 
(d) In charge of managing the Mental Health Facilities and its implements, and ensure 
its availability to any troops who are in need of such services; 
(e) Shall be the representative of the Department’s Mental Health helpline system, and 
shall assist the troops who are willing to avail of the Mental Health helpline program, 
to refer them to the proper institutions or mental health facilities, if needed; 
(f) Submit a report at the end of every month of December or earlier if necessary to the 
Department regarding the results of the Mental Health Consultations conducted, and 
the implementation of this policy and its programs. 


Sec. 6. Care Package. This shall be given to every active member of the Armed Forces 
of the Philippines qualified under this Act at the end of the month of May each year. The 
amount is equivalent to half of the month’s salary of the troops which shall be exempt from tax 
and other forms of deductions. Only those members of the AFP who were able to successfully 
comply with the Mandatory Mental Health Consultation within the same year may be qualified 
to avail of this benefit.  
 
Sec. 7. Mandatory Mental Health Consultation. It shall be mandated that every active 
member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines shall undergo a mandatory mental health 
consultation with a mental health professional designated in their respective barracks or stations 
every month of April, August, and December of the same year while on active duty or service. 
 
Sec. 8. Period of Implementation. – This act shall take effect immediately and shall 
continue to be effective until the Congress decides to discontinue it through a legislative act. 
 
Sec. 9. Tax Exemptions and Privileges. – All existing tax exemptions and privileges 
extended to troops on their current bonuses and allowances shall be applicable to the allowance 
and benefits provided under this Act. 
 
Sec. 10. Appropriations. – The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act shall 
be charged from the National Budget, Thereafter, the amount necessary for its continued 
implementation shall be included in the budget of the AFP in the annual General Appropriations 
Act. 
 
Sec. 11. Periodic Review. As the need arises or within five (5) years after its effectivity, 
the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee shall conduct a review of this Act for purposes of 
determining whether remedial legislation is in order. 
 
Sec. 12. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The AFP, in coordination with the 
Department, shall promulgate rules and regulations implementing the provisions of this Act 
within sixty (60) days from its effectivity. 
 
Sec. 13. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional or 
otherwise invalid, the validity of the other provisions shall not be affected thereby.  
 
Sec. 14. Repealing Clause. – All other laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, other 
issuances, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or 
modified accordingly.  
 
Sec. 15. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in 
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.