EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
of t!jf 4»frrfl«rj!»
SENATE
S. B. No. 1471
20 MAY f-4 PI 36
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Introduced by SENATOR SONNY ANGARA
AN ACT
AMENDING CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF 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 our workers in both the 
public and private sector.
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.
RA 11036 has made it easier for our workers to seek help, however, 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, this bill seeks to amend the Mental Health Act in order


to reinforce already existing laws - such as Presidential Decree No. 6261 (for private 
and public employees) and Republic Act No. 69632 (for our uniformed personnel) - 
which provide for compensation benefits and/or special financial assistance in the 
event a worker sustains a disability while in the performance of duty or by reason of 
his/her position. While we believe that true healing can only be acquired through 
professional medical help, reinforcing the rights of employees in terms of monetary 
compensation can help alleviate his/her burden.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of the bill is earnestly
sought.
SONNY ANGARA
1 Further Amending Certain Articles of Presidential Decree No. 442 Entitled "Labor Code of the 
Philippines".
2 An Act Granting Special Financial Assistance and Benefits to the Family or Beneficiary of Any Police 
or Military Personnel or Fireman Killed or Permanently Incapacitated while in the Performance of His 
Duty or by Reason of His Office or Position and For Other Purposes.


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
x^^(0{{i£y of tlK ^rrrcfavi--
HAY -4 PI 3j
SENATE
Introduced by SENATOR SONNY ANGARA
AN ACT
AMENDING CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11036, 
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE MENTAL HEALTH ACT
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
SECTION 1. Section 5 of Republic Act No. 11036 otherwise known as the
2 
"Mental Health Act" is hereby amended to read as flows:
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"Sec. 5. Rights of Service Users - Service users shall enjoy, on an 
equal and nondiscriminatory basis, all rights guaranteed by the 
Constitution as well as those recognized under the United Nations 
Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on the 
Rights of Persons with Disabilities and all other relevant international 
and regional human rights conventions and declarations, including the 
right to:
XXX
XXX
XXX
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n(U) IMMEDIATELY RECEIVE COMPENSATION BENEFITS 
AND/OR ANY SPECIAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE THAT THE 
SERVICE USER IS ENTITLED TO UNDER EXISTING LAWS 
SHOULD THE SERVICE USER SUSTAIN TEMPORARY OR 
PERMANENT MENTAL DISABILITY WHILE IN THE 
PERFORMANCE OF DUTY OR BY REASON OF HIS OR HER 
OFFICE OR POSITION."
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SEC. 2. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders or rules
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and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
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repealed or modified accordingly.


1 
SEC. 3. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
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after its publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of the general
3 
circulation.
Approved,