EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Third Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
S.B. No. 2511
FILED
March
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.And 
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; 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. The Department 
of Health (DOH) estimates that at least 3.6 million Filipinos are facing 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 months of testing positive for COVID-19. Government- 
mandated lockdowns to prevent the spread of the virus and associated social 
isolation have exacerbated existing mental health challenges.
According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), as of October 2021, 
deaths because of "Intentional self-harm" rose by 57.3 percent in 2020 as the 
pandemic and resulting lockdowns caused multitudes of Filipinos out of jobs. 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, 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 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.
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
IMEE R. MARCOS


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Third Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
S.B. No. 2511
FILED
March
2022m
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 the 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" shall be amended to read as follows:
3 
"Section 16. Community-based Mental Health Care Facilities. -
4 
The national government, through the DOH, IN COORDINATION
5 
WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR AND LOCAL
6 
GOVERNMENT (DILG), shall fund the establishment and assist in
7 
the operation of community-based mental health care facilities in the
8 
provinces, cities and cluster of municipalities in the entire country
9 
based on the needs of the population, to provide appropriate mental
10 
health care services, and enhance the rights-based approach to
11 
mental health care. PROVIDED THAT, WHERE THE RESIDENT OF
12 
THE PROVINCE, CITY, OR MUNICIPALITY IS HOMELESS,
13 
VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OR TRAFFICKING, OR A
14 
MINOR, HE OR SHE SHALL BE GIVEN PRIORITY IN THE
15 
AVAILMENT OF SERVICES. PROVIDED FURTHER THAT, THE
16 
PARENT OR DULY DESIGNATED OR APPOINTED
17 
REPRESENTATIVE OF THE MINOR SHALL BE PRESENT OR
18 
MUST HAVE GIVEN CONSENT DURING THE AVAILMENT OF
19 
SERVICES.


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