Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
 MANDATING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH CENTERS IN 
EVERY DISTRICT AND MUNICIPALITY, PROVIDING FOR THE 
EMPLOYMENT OF PSYCHOLOGISTS AND PSYCHIATRISTS, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Article II, Section 15 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution mandates the 
State to protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health 
consciousness among them. 
In pursuit of this mandate, Republic Act No. 11036, otherwise known 
as the Mental Health Act, was signed into law in June 2018. This legislation 
established a national policy on mental health, including 24/7 nationwide 
hotlines to assist individuals in distress and provisions for integrating mental 
health services in the public health system. 
Despite this legal progress, many Filipinos still lack convenient access 
to sustained mental health care. For instance, in Quezon City, although the 
Mental Wellness Access Hubs (MWAH) offers comprehensive mental health 
services to constituents, service are only offered in select day services are 
offered only in select days (e.g. Tuesdays and Thursdays), revealing the 
insufficiency of intermittent, non-permanent systems. 
The need for accessible services is urgent. Studies show that over 11% 
Filipinos—or roughly 12 million individuals—suffer from mental health 
disorders, with depression and anxiety being the most common1. Among 
children, the situation is even more concerning, with a prevalence rate of 
16%.2 Despite the passage of RA 11036, many communities, particularly in 
1 Alibudbud, R. (2023) Towards transforming the mental health services of the Philippines. National Library of 
Medicine. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10625027/ 
2 Malolos, G. Z. et. Al. (2021) Mental health and well-being of children in the Philippine setting during the 
COVID-19 pandemic. National Library of Medicine. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8501475/  
September 11, 2025
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rural areas, remain underserved due to the absence of permanent and fully 
operational facilities.    
This bill, therefore, seeks to institutionalize the establishment of mental 
health facilities in every district and municipality to ensure accessible, 
sustainable, and community-based mental health services. By ensuring the 
presence of qualified psychologists and psychiatrists at the local level, the 
State will be able to better respond to the growing mental health needs of 
Filipinos, while strengthening prevention, early intervention and long-term 
care. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly 
sought. 
REP. PM VARGAS   
Fifth District, Quezon City 


Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
 MANDATING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH CENTERS IN 
EVERY CITY AND MUNICIPALITY, PROVIDING FOR THE EMPLOYMENT 
OF PSYCHOLOGISTS AND PSYCHIATRISTS, AND APPROPRIATING 
FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Establishment of 
Mental Health Facilities in Every LGU Act”. 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is hereby declared the policy of 
the State to protect and promote the right to health of the people as enshrined 
in Article II, Section 15 of the 1987 Constitution. Towards this end, the State 
shall ensure accessible, affordable, and comprehensive mental health care 
services for all Filipinos through the establishment of mental health facilities 
in every district and municipality. 
SECTION 3. Objectives. – The mental health facilities established under this 
Act shall provide free and accessible services to all constituents, which shall 
include, but not be limited to, the following: 
a) Counseling and Psychotherapy – Provision of individual, group, and
family counseling sessions to address emotional, behavioral, and
psychological 
concerns;
b) Psychiatric Treatment and Medication Management – Diagnosis,
treatment, and continuing care of mental health conditions, including
the administration and monitoring of prescribed medications;
c) Community-Based Mental Health Programs – Implementation of
outreach programs designed to promote mental well-being and provide
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support at the community level; 
 
d) Crisis Intervention and Hotline Services – Immediate and accessible 
support for individuals in mental health crises, including 24/7 
hotlines and emergency interventions; and 
 
e) Mental Health Awareness and Education Campaigns – Conduct of 
seminars, workshops, and information drives to reduce stigma, raise 
awareness, and promote mental health literacy in the community. 
 
SECTION 4. Establishment of Mental Health Centers – There shall be 
established in every city and municipality a public mental health center, 
which shall be under the direct control and supervision of the city or 
municipal local government unit (LGU), in consultation with the Department 
of Health. Each facility shall be designed to provide preventive, promotive, 
curative, and rehabilitative mental health services. 
SECTION 5. Staffing and Employment of Mental Health Professionals. 
— Each center established under this Act shall be staffed with licensed mental 
health professionals, which shall include, but not be limited to, the following: 
a) At least one (1) Psychiatrist, with a salary grade equivalent to Medical 
Officer III (Salary Grade 21); 
b) At least two (2) Clinical Psychologists, with a salary grade not lower 
than Salary Grade 16; 
c) At least two (2) Social Welfare Officers trained in mental health, with 
a salary grade not lower than Salary Grade 11; and 
d) Such number of mental health nurses, guidance counselors, support 
staff, and administrative personnel as may be necessary to ensure 
efficient service delivery. 
The salary grades herein provided shall be in accordance with the latest Salary 
Standardization Law (SSL) and as may be determined by the Department of 
Budget and Management (DBM). The DOH, in coordination with the Civil 
Service Commission (CSC), shall determine and prescribe the plantilla 
positions, qualifications, and salary grades for the positions provided under 
this Section. 
SECTION 6. Implementing Agency. — The Department of Health (DOH) 
shall be the primary implementing agency of this Act. For its effective 
implementation, the DOH shall coordinate with the Department of the Interior 
and Local Government (DILG), local government units (LGUs), Department of 
Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and such other concerned agencies 
as may be deemed necessary. 
 


 
 
SECTION 7. Appropriations. — The amount necessary for the initial 
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current 
appropriations of the Department of Health (DOH). Thereafter, the funds 
required for the continued operation and maintenance of mental health 
facilities established under this Act shall be included in the annual General 
Appropriations Act (GAA). 
In addition, local government units (LGUs) are mandated to allocate a portion 
of their annual health budget, specifically to support the operation and 
sustainability of these facilities. 
SECTION 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). — Within ninety 
(90) days from the effectivity of this Act, the DOH, in consultation with the 
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Civil Service 
Commission (CSC), Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher 
Education (CHED), the Department of Social Welfare and Development 
(DSWD), and other concerned stakeholders, shall promulgate the necessary 
rules and regulations for its effective implementation. 
 
SECTION 9. Non-Impairment Clause. – Nothing in this Act shall be 
construed as to diminish, impair, or repeal rights recognized, granted, or 
made available to disadvantaged, marginalized, or specific sectors under 
existing laws. 
SECTION 10. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining provisions not affected shall remain 
in full force and effect. 
SECTION 11. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules 
and regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or 
modified accordingly. 
SECTION 12. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after 
its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) 
newspapers of general circulation. 
 
Approved,