Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE 0F REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
HoUSE BILL No. 9691
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Introduced by Representative Jaime R. Fresnedi
EXPLANATORY NOTH
This legislation seeks to provide access to emergency services for those in their darkest
moments, psychiatric and neurological care for the weary minds, and the Mental Health Gap
Action Program (mhGAP) to bridge the divide between illness and recovery.
While the Philippines has made strides in recognizing the importance of mental health,
PhilHealth currently only provides limited coverage for mental health disorders. By expanding
PhilHealth coverage to include a wide-ranging benefit package for all mental health disorders,
we hope to open doors to brighter tomorrows.
In a world teeming with hopes and dreams, there lies a silent struggle, an invisible battle
that has raged within the minds and hearts of countless Filipinos - the battle against mental
health disorders, which was aggravated by the COVID  19 pandemic.   It is a war fought in
solitude, where the weapons are courage, resilience, and sometimes, simply the will to survive.
These individuals, our fellow citizens, deserve more than silent battles and hidden tears. They
deserve  our  unwavering  support,  our  empathy,  and  a  comprehensive  safety  net  for  their
emotional well-being.
The  COVID   19  pandemic  magnified  existing  conditions  among  Filipinos.     The
Department of Health (DOH) estimates that over 3.6 million]  of our fellow citizens grapple
with these persistent challenges.  The pandemic has served as a powerful amplifier, intensifying
the relentless voices within, increasing the isolating loneliness,  and deepening the profound
emptiness that often accompanies mental health issues.   The uncertainty,  fear,  and isolation
brought about by the pandemic have further strained the emotional resilience of our people.
The crisis brought by  COVID-19 has emphasized the urgency of addressing mental
health needs in our nation.   Prioritizing the mental health of our citizens is not just an act of
compassion.   It  is  an  investment  in our nation's  productivity,  resilience,  and  future.  It  is  a
]https:/^wwww.rc~chns.com/news/mental-health~on-the-mo\/e-in-theTphilippi.nes-meet-the-lusog-isip~app/


testament to our commitment to building a nation where no one suffers in silence, especially
in times when the shadows of adversity are most profound.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
Lone District, Muntinlupa City


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE 0F REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
HOUSE BILL No. 9 8 9 1
Introduced by Rep. Jaime R. Fresnedi
AN ACT
EXPANDING PHILHEALTH COVERAGE TO INCLUDE BENEFIT PACKAGE T0
ALL MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  the  House  Of Representatives  of the  Philippines  in
Congress assembled..
Section 1. Sfeor/ rz.//e. -This Act shall be known as the "Comprehensive Mental Health
BenefitAct"
Section 2. Dec/cJrcJ/z.o# a/Po/z.c};.  -The State affirms the basic right of all Filipinos to
mental health as well as the fundamental rights of people who require health services.
The State commits itself in promoting the well-being of people by ensuring that; mental
health is valued, promoted and protected; mental health conditions are treated and prevented;
timely, affordable, high quality, and culturally-appropriate mental health case is made available
to the public; mental health service are flee from coercion and accountable to the service users;
and persons affected by mental health conditions are able to exercise the full range of human
rights, and participate fully in society and at work free from stigmatization and discrimination.
The State shall comply strictly with its obligations under the United Nations Declaration
of Human  Rights,  the  Convention on the rights  of Persons  with Disabilities,  and all  other
relevant   international   and   regional   human   rights,   conventions   and   declarations.   The
applicability of Republic Act No. 7277, as amended, otherwise knownas the "Magma Carta for
Disabled Persons",  to  person with mental health  conditions,  as  defined herein,  is  expressly
recognized.
Section 3.  Dc#72z./I.o# a/Terms. -As used in this Act, the following terms are defined as
follows:
a)  A4le#/c!/ fJecz//fe - refers to a state of well-being in which the individual realizes one's
own  abilities  and  potentials,  copes  adequately  with  the  normal  stresses  of life,  displays
resilience in the face of extreme life events, works productively and fruitfully, and is able to
make a positive contribution to the community;
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b) A4le#/cz/   f7ecz//fe   Co77dz.Jz.o#   -   refers   to   a   neurologic   or   psychiatric   condition
characterized  by  the  existence  of  a  recognizable,  clinically-significant  disturbance  in  an
individual's  cognition,  emotional  regulation,  or behavior that reflects  a genetic  or acquired
dysfunction in the neurological, psychosocial,  or developmental process  underlying mental
functioning.  The  determination of neurologic  and psychiatric  conditions  shall  be based on
scientifically-accepted   medical   nomenclature   and  best   available   scientific   and   medical
evidence;
c)  A4leJefc}/ Dz.sorc7ers - refer to conditions that affect a person's thinking, feelings, mood,
and behavior. These may be occasional or chronic;
d) Mental   Health  Gap  Action  Program   (mhGAP)  -  refers  to  the  World  Hechth
Organization  (WHO)  program  aimed  at  scaling  up  services  for  mental,  neurological,  and
substance use disorders for countries especially with low- and middle-icnome.
Section 4. A4le#/cz/ Hecz//fe Be#e/z.f Pczcfaczge.  -Within one (1 ) year from the effectivity of
this  Act,   PhilHealth,   in  consultation  with  the  Department  of  Health  (DOH),   and  key
stakeholders  such  as  professional  societies,  patient organization,  and health  facilities,  shall
develop a benefit package for Filipinos with mental health illnesses. This benefit package shall
cover all mental health disorders. Also, a minor suffering from mental health disorders shall
likewise be benefited by this mental health benefit package. The benefit package shall cover
emergency  services,  psychiatric  and neurological  services,  and Mental  Health  Gap  Action
Program (mhGAP).
Section  5.  J7„p/e7#e77Jz.77g  jew/es  cz#d  Regw/cz/i.o77s.   -  The   Secretary   of  the  DOH,   in
consultation with key stakeholders,  shall promulgate the necessary rules  and regulations to
implement the provisions of this Act.
Section  6.  ,4ppraprj.cz/z.oj7s.  -  The  amount  necessary  to  implement  this  Act  shall  be
charged  against the total  revenue  of PhilHealth,  composed of premium  contributions  from
direct contributors and premium subsidies of the government for the indirect contributors.
Section   7.   Sepanrbz./z.fy   C/cz#e.   -   If  any   provision   or   part   thereof  is   declared
unconstitutional, the remainder of this act or any provision not affected thereby shall remain in
full force and effect.
Section 8. Repecz/I.7zg C/c}wse.  -All laws, acts, decrees, executive orders, issuances, and
rules and regulations or parts thereof which are contrary to and inconsistent with this Act are
hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
Section 9. Ejijrec/I.vz.fy. - This Act shall take effect immediately following its publication
in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,
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