NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S.B. No. 920
•22 Jit 27 f 4 55
RtCEIVED BY:
Introduced by SENATOR SONNY ANGARA
AN ACT
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11036, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 
MENTAL HEALTH ACT
EXPLANATORY NOTE
In 2018, the country passed Republic Act No. 11036 or the Mental Health Act 
in response to the World Health Organization (WHO) study which revealed that the 
Philippines has the highest incidence of depression among Southeast Asian 
countries. This is supported by a 2004 Department of Health (DOH) survey saying 
that almost one in every 100 households has a member with a mental disorder.
Since its enactment, the law was able to bolster the country's stance on 
improving the mental health of every Filipino by ensuring access to mental health 
services and interventions from regional, provincial and tertiary hospitals down to 
the barangay level and protecting the patients' rights. And while we remain 
optimistic that this law will continue to address the growing needs of those who seek 
help, the law must also be strengthened particularly for those who do not have 
adequate funds to seek treatment.
For employees, a big factor of stress comes from work. Whether it's the long 
hours of commuting to and from the workplace, the lack of work/life balance, the 
excessive demands of their jobs, or the less than competitive salary, Filipino workers 
are constantly being subjected to stress which - according to experts - can lead to 
several mental health problems such as depression or even dementia.
The COVID-19 pandemic has also strained the mental well-being of many 
Filipinos especially those who have either been let go from their jobs or whose


businesses and means of livelihood have been significantly hampered. In fact, in 
2021, DOH reported that over 3.6 million Filipinos are suffering from mental health 
issues such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcohol use, drug use, 
epilepsy, etc. This number, according to the department, could only be a fraction of 
the total number of those who are constantly struggling with this illness. In fact, 
during the pandemic, calls to the government's mental health hotline skyrocketed.
While RA 11036 has made it easier for all of us to seek professional help, the 
financial burden of these services can still be challenging to some, especially as 
PhilHealth has yet to increase its benefit package of P7,800 for mental and 
behavioral disorders. Hence, the proposed measure seeks to increase the case rate 
package being currently offered by PhilHealth and include therapy sessions as part 
of the said package. In addition, the measure shall also mandate that mental health 
services be included in the primary care benefit package of the Corporation.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of the bill is earnestly 
sought.
SONNY ANGARA
r


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
sena;
S.B. No.
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Senate
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•22 JUL27 M S5
Introduced by SENATOR SONNY ANGARA
AN ACT
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11036, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 
MENTAL HEALTH ACT
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Phiiippines in 
Congress assembied:
1 
SECTION 1. A new section after Section 22 of Republic Act No. 11036
2 
otherwise known as the Mental Health Act is hereby inserted to read as follows:
3 
"SEC. 23. MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL DISORDER BENEFIT
4 
PACKAGE. - THE PHILIPPINE HEALTH INSURANCE
5 
CORPORATION (PHILHEALTH) SHALL INCLUDE THERAPY
6 
SESSIONS IN THE COVERAGE OF ITS MENTAL AND
7 
BEHAVIORAL BENEFIT PACKAGE: PROVIDED THAT THE
8 
HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT COUNCIL (HTAC)
9 
CREATED BY VIRTUE OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11223 OR THE
10 
UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE ACT, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE
11 
PHILIPPINE COUNCIL FOR MENTAL HEALTH ESTABLISHED
12 
UNDER THIS ACT, SHALL REVIEW THE EXISTING CASE RATE
13 
PACKAGES OF PHILHEALTH FOR MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL
14 
DISORDERS AND RECOMMEND AN APPROPRIATE INCREASE
15 
IN BENEFIT PACKAGE; PROVIDED THAT THE HTAC SHALL
16 
CONSIDER THE CURRENT COSTS OF TREATMENT IN THE
17 
RECOMMENDATION OF NEW PACKAGES."
18 
"THE NHIP SHALL ALSO INCLUDE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
19 
IN ITS PRIMARY CARE SERVICES."
1


1 
SEC. 2. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders or rules
2 
and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
3 
repealed or modified accordingly.
4 
SEC. 3. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
5 
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of the general
6 
circulation.
Approved,