Republic of the Phili
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. D084

Introduced by BAYAN MUNA Representative CARLOS ISAGANI T. ZARATE

AN ACT REPEALING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 5260
WHICH AUTHORIZES GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO SELL
THE WELFAREVILLE PROPERTY LOCATED IN MANDALUYONG CITY

EXPLANATORY NOTE,

Enacted on June 15, 1968 in the early years of the Marcos government, Republic Act 5260
was passed in the guise of authorizing the public bidding of the Welfareville property to
generate funds supposedly for “children’s welfare services.” However, it pointedly and
grossly ignores the existence of the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) right within
the Welfareville compound.

Formerly kn6wn as the National Mental Hospital, the NCMH has been providing treatment,
care and rehabilitation for the mentally-ill since its establishment on December 17, 1928. It is
the only national mental health facility in the country that provides vital hospital services 0
mental patients. It caters mostly to the poor and marginalized who come not only from Metro
Manila but far-flung provinces. From a 379-bed capacity, the NCMH has grown to 4,200,
with admissions often exceeding capacity amid the rising problem of mental illness in the
country, especially among the poor in Metro Manila,

RA 5260 is being used as justification of repeated attempts since the Marcos era to sell the
110-hectare Welfareville property and to phase out the NCMH. In 1978, at the height of
martial law, the Marcos regime additionally imposed Presidential Decree 1541 providing for
the “decentralization” of the mental hospital within a five-year period. The decree’s real
intent, however, can be gleaned from its preamble that the location of the hospital facilities
right in the “core of the New Metro Manila” does not “blend well” with the plans of the
Metro Manila Commission. The latter body was headed by the dictator's wife Imelda who
was notorious for undertaking controversial “beautification” project

To date, threats to sell the Welfareville property continue amidst protests against the
displacement of some 6,000 NCMH in-patients, 56,000 average out-patients every year,
2,529 hospital personnel and 25,000 families who have long settled in the area. The absence
ofa viable and feasible alternative to the existing facilities of the NCMH as well as relocation.
plans for long-time residents reveal that financial gain and not real public interest persist
the primary motive of selling off Welfareville.



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This bill hopes to stop the indiscriminate use and abuse of government authority in selling off
prime public land especially those being used for social services. It specially upholds the
constitutional obligation of the State to provide affordable and accessible health services to
the people and to promote the right to health, particularly for the most disadvantaged.

In the light of the foregoing, immediate approval of this bill is eamestly sought.
Approved.

hep. CARRERA GAN TARR

Bayan Muna Party-List


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House eit No, 9084

Introduced by BAYAN MUNA Representative CARLOS ISAGANI T. ZARATE

AN ACT REPEALING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 5260
WHICH AUTHORIZES GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO SELL
‘THE WELFAREVILLE PROPERTY LOCATED IN MANDALUYONG CITY

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled.

SECTION 1. Republic Act No. 5260 entitled “An Act Authorizing a Committee Composed
of the Administrator of the Social Welfare Administration, the Auditor General and the
Secretary of the Department of General Services to Sell the Welfareville Property Located in
the Municipality of Mandaluyong. Province of Rizal, and for Other Purposes” is hereby

repealed.

SECTION 2. All similar laws, decrees, executive orders, administrative orders, or circulars

are likewise hereby repealed or amended accordingly

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its publication in at least one (1) newspaper of

general circulation,

Approved,