arL’ • i‘
^euatir
^■ (©ffitf of tijf jfes.’u-ft.TiT’
NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SEN
S.B. No Yfl7
23 J|\N 19 P5-.36
RECEIVED ev.'ty-
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11036 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 
"MENTAL HEALTH ACT" AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Section 2 of Republic Act No. 11036 also known as the "Mental Health Act" 
provides that, "The state affirms the basic right of all Filipinos to mental health as well 
as the fundamental rights of people who require mental health services. "It further 
states that, "The State commits itself to promoting the well-being of people by ensuring 
that mental health is valued, promoted and protected; mental health conditions are 
treated and prevented; and timely, affordable, high quality, and culturally-appropriate 
mental health case is made available to the public."
In a fast-changing world, plagued with sickness, pandemics, stress and 
inevitable economic fluctuations, one can barely manage to survive. Social isolation and 
loss of jobs during COVID-19 have exacerbated existing mental health challenges. The 
Department of Health (DOH) estimated that at least 3.6 million Filipinos faced mental 
health issues during the pandemic, including depression, substance use disorders such 
as alcohol use disorder, and mood disorders like bipolar disorder.
The US Agency for International Development (USAID) said that COVID-19 
infection in itself has been found to directly impact a person's mental health as much 
as one of three COVID-19 patients in the Philippines was diagnosed with a mental 
health condition within six (6) months of testing positive for COVID-19. Deaths caused 
by "intentional self-harm" also rose by 57.3 percent during the pandemic, according to 
Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) figures as of 26 October 2021. From 2,810 deaths 
by intentional self-harm in 2019, the number spiked to nearly double or 4,420 in 2020.


Health expert Lily Perete Orticio, former president, Philippine Charities 
Foundation in South Florida, wrote in an article that the rise in cases of deaths by 
suicide has become a global concern, especially due to loss of work and financial 
instability.
As we aspire for a better Philippines, it is high time that the government include in its 
priorities, the provision of free mental health care services to the people especially 
giving priority to the minors, victims of domestic violence or trafficking and the 
homeless. While we strive to provide means to elevate the basic needs of food, clothing, 
and shelter, let us also work together for a mentally healthier citizenry.
This bill seeks to bring free mental health care services, treatment, and support closer 
to the people, break mental health stigmas and stereotypes, and ensure adequate and 
sufficient equipment, supplies and medicines, by establishing and empowering a 
responsive community-based mental health facility in every province, city, and cluster 
of municipalities in the entire country.
For the foregoing reasons, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
MEE R.. MARCOS


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S.B. No, 1717
.EtS SMiW'e
ii'iBtUtt o{ the Ttari'
23 JAN 19 P5 :36
RECEIVED BY;
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT
AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11036 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 
"MENTAL HEALTH ACT", AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
SECTION 1. Section 16 of Republic Act No. 11036 otherwise known as the
2 
"Mental Health Act"s'mW be amended to read as follows:
3
4 
"Section 16. Community-based Mental Health Care Facilities. -
5 
The national government, through the DOH, IN COORDINATION
6 
WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR AND LOCAL
7 
GOVERNMENT (DILG), shall fund the establishment and assist in
8 
the operation of community-based mental health care facilities in
9 
the provinces, cities and cluster of municipalities in the entire
10 
country based on the needs of the population, to provide
11 
appropriate mental health care services, and enhance the rights-
12 
based approach to mental health care. PROVIDED THA T, WHERE
13 
THE RESIDENT OF THE PROVINCE, CITY, OR
14 
MUNICIPALITY IS HOMELESS, A VICTIM OF DOMESTIC
15 
VIOLENCE OR TRAFFICKING, OR A MINOR, HE OR SHE
16 
SHALL BE GIVEN PRIORITY IN THE AVAILMENT OF
17 
SERVICES. PROVIDED FURTHER THAT, THE PARENT OR
18 
DULY-DESIGNATED OR APPOINTED REPRESENTATIVE OF
19 
THE MINOR SHALL BE PRESENT OR MUST HAVE GIVEN
20 
CONSENT DURING THE AVAILMENT OF SERVICES.
21
22 
THE AVAILMENT OF SUCH SERVICES, TREATMENT,
23 
AND SUPPORT SHALL BE FREE OF CHARGE TO THE


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22 
23
RESIDENTS OF THE MENTAL HEALTH CARE FACILITY 
WHERE IT IS LOCATED.
Each community-based mental health care facility shall, in 
addition to adequate room, office or clinic, have a complement of 
mental health professionals, allied professionals, support staff, 
trained barangay health workers (BHWs) volunteer, family 
members of patients or service users, basic equipment and supplies 
and adequate stock of medicines appropriate at that level."
SEC. 2. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations 
or other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are 
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC. 3. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is 
declared unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected 
thereby shall remain in force and effect.
SEC. 4. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following 
the completion of its publication either in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of 
general circulation in the Philippines.
Approved,