FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Third Regular Session 
) 
SENA.n:: 
.. 
S.No. a433 
9 
SEP lOP 1 :1t9 
RECFlV" f1 n· 
Introduced by Senator Miriam DefensorBantiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 2, Section 15 provides: 
The State shall protect and promote the right to health of 
the people and instill health consciousness among them. 
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) which was once called shell shock 
or battle fatigue syndrome, is a serious condition that can develop after a person 
has experienced or seen a traumatic or terrifying event in which serious physical 
" harm occurred or was threatened. PTSD is a lasting consequence of traumatic 
ordeals that cause intense fear, helplessness, or horror, such as a sexual or 
physical assault, the unexpected death of a loved one, an accident, war, or natural 
disaster. 
Most people who experience a traumatic event will have reactions that 
may include shock, anger, nervousness, fear, and even guilt. These reactions are 
common; and for most people, they go away over time. However, for a person 
with PTSD, these feelings continue and even increase, becoming so strong that 
they keep the .per~on from living a normal life. People with PTSD have symptoms 
for longer than one month and cannot function as well as before the event 
occurred. Victims of trauma related to physical and sexual assault face the 
greatest risk for PTSD. 
This bill seeks to identify the people who are most 
vulnerable to PTSD and to provide them with adequate treatment. 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Third Regular Session 
) 
9 
SEP 10 P 1 :t19 
SENATE 
S. No. 3433 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
I 
2 
3 
TO AID IN THE TREATMENT OF POST-TRAUMATIC 
STRESS DISORDER IN HIGH RISK INDIVIDUALS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
4 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Post Traumatic Stress 
5 
Disorder Act of 2009." 
6 
SECTION 2. Definition of terms. - As used in this Act, the term-
7 
(A) "Post Traumatic Stress Disorder" refers to a condition that can develop after a person 
8 
has experienced or witnessed a traumatic or terrifying event in which serious physical 
9 
harm occurred or was threatened; 
10 
(B) "Department" means the Department of Health; 
II 
SECTION 3. Treatment of Patients with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. - The following 
12 
persons shall undergo a mandatory screening for post traumatic stress disorder and shall be given 
13 
a free treatment if the test is found to be positive: 
14 
(A) Military persounel after their tour of duty; 
15 
(B) Victims of sexual assault andlor child abuse; 
16 
(C) Spouses/children who are victims of domestic violence. 
17 
SECTION 4. Duty of the Department of Health. - The Department shall provide an 
18 
appropriate and cost-effective method of testing and treating post traumatic stress disorder. It 


, , 
1 
shall issue the implementing rules and regulations for this Act within six (6) months from its 
2 
effectivity, 
3 
SECTION 5. Standards for evaluation and treatment. - The Department shall be guided 
4 
by the following guidelines in the implementation of this Act: 
5 
(A) If symptoms of PTSD are present, the doctor shall perform an evaluation by 
6 
performing a complete medical history and physical exam; 
7 
(B) If no physical illness is found, the patient shall be referred to a psychologist who shall 
8 
interview and assess the condition of the patient; 
9 
(C) The psychologist shall then prescribe the appropriate psychotherapy for the condition 
10 
of the patient. Therapy also, aims to teach the person and his or her family about the 
11 
disorder, and help the person work through the fears associated with the traumatic 
12 
event. 
13 
SECTION 6. Separability Clause. - If any provision, or part hereof is held invalid or 
14 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
15 
valid and sUbsisting. 
16 
SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
17 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
18 
with, the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly. 
19 
SECTION 8. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
20 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
2