Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 5 46

Introduced by Representative Jaime R. Fresnedi

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill 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.

Mental disorders in the country affect an estimated 1 1.3% to 11.6% of the population.
This translates to about 12.5 million Filipinos suffering from various mental health
conditions, predominantly depression and anxiety.! The COVID 19 pandemic magnified
existing conditions among Filipinos. 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

+ Navigating the Stream: Empowering Filipinos in their Mental Health Journey (Mina WIFF. Navigating the
Stream: Empowering Filipinos in their Mental Health Journey. Acta Med Philipp. 2024 Oct 31;58(19):5-6. dol:
10.47895/amp.vSBi19.11983. PMID: 39600662; PMCID: PMC11586281.)


compassion. It is an investment in our nation’s productivity, resilience, and future. It is a
testament of 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 passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

JAIME, ‘SNEDI
Representative
Lone District, Muntinlupa City


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 546

Introduced by Representative Jai

AN ACT
EXPANDING PHILHEALTH COVERAGE TO INCLUDE BENEFIT PACKAGE TO ALL.
MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS, 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 “Comprehensive Mental Health
Benefit Act”.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - 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 free 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 Disabi -s, and all other relevant
international and regional human rights, conventions and declarations. The applicability of
Republic Act No. 7277, as amended, otherwise known as the “Magna Carta for Disabled
Persons”, to person with mental health conditions, as defined herein, is expressly recognized.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. ~ As used in this Act, the following terms are defined as follows:

a) Mental health 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;

b) Mental health condition 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) Mental disorders 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 Health
Organization (WHO) program aimed at scaling up services for mental, neurological, and
substance use disorders for countries especially with low- and middle-income.

SEC. 4. Mental Health Benefit Package. ~ Within one (1) year from the effectivity of this
Act, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (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).

SEC. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. ~ The Secretary of the DOH, in consultation
with key stakeholders, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to implement the
provisions of this Act.

SEC. 6. Appropriations. ~ 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.

SEC. 7. Separability Clause. ~ If any portion ot provision of this Act is subsequently declared
invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall remain in
full force and effect.

SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, ordinances, administrative order, rules and
regulations, or any part thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act are repealed or amended
accordingly.

SEC. 9. Effectivity, — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette and at least two (2) newspapers of national circulation.

Approved,