Mental Health Officer Act

Senate veers Olice of the Bor cup TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session FEB -5 P2:52 SENATE S. No. 1760 RECEIVED BY: Introduced by Senator Camille A. Villar AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE EMPLOYMENT OF A MENTAL HEALTH OFFICER IN EVERY CITY AND MUNICIPALITY EXPLANATORY NOTE In the Philippines, mental health-related issues affect Filipinos of all ages and backgrounds - young or old, rich or poor. It is a silent epidemic that we need to confront head-on. It remains a significant concern in 2026, with young Filipinos particularly affected by rising stress, anxiety, and depression. While there is a growing awareness and utilization of digital mental health tools, particularly among younger generations, challenges persist in terms of stigma, access to professional care, and the need for more robust community support systems. The occurrence of mental disorders varied from 11.3 percent to 11.6 percent, showing a yearly rise of 2 percent. This led to an increase from 7.0 million to 12.5 million Filipinos diagnosed with mental disorders from 1990 to 2019. Anxiety and depression are the most common conditions. Addressing these issues, WHO proposed a strategic plan including heightened political attention and funding, establishing a sustainable care model, and fostering collaborative efforts for tailored solutions. The Philippines is experiencing a silent crisis in mental health. A personnel in every local government unit must be designated to help and assist patients and people afflicted with mental health problems so as to halt and control the further deterioration of the mental illness in the country. The objective of this bill is for every city and municipality to employ, hire and designate a Mental Health Officer to assist their respective LGUs to address the issue. ]

In view of the foregoing, the early cognizance of this proposed legislation is earnestly sought. CAMILLE A. VILLAR

Sentate D Office of the Secretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) First Regular Session ) 26 FEB -5 P2:52 SEN176O S. No. RECEIVED BY: Introduced by Senator Camille A. Villar AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE EMPLOYMENT OF A MENTAL HEALTH OFFICER IN EVERY CITY AND MUNICIPALITY 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 "Mental Health Officer

2 Act'.

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the declared policy of the State that "it shall

protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness 5 among them". Toward this end, the mental health of the citizens should be a primordial consideration of all local government units.

Sec. 3. Program for the Employment of Mental Health Officers and Role of Local

8 Government Units. - The local government unit shall secure the assistance of the Department of Health in recruiting, selecting and in the training of the Mental Health 10 Officer (MHO) employed by the LGUs to ensure their capability in addressing the mental health concerns of cities and municipalities. The DOH shall issue the necessary guidelines in setting up the qualifications of the MHO to be deployed in the cities and municipalities and the module of relevant training of these MHOs.

Sec. 4. Stipend. - MHOs employed under the program shall be entitled to a

monthly stipend preferably equal to salary grade 15, consistent with the mandatory minimum entry-level pay of employees in the government.

Sec. 5. Duties. - MHOs under this program shall be required to submit an

annual report on the status of the mental health situation in their respective cities and

1 municipalities including suggestions and recommendations of similar matters that may 2 be of significance to the LGUs.

Sec. 6. Appropriations. - The funding requirements needed for the

4 implementation of this Act by local government units may be charged against their local funds.

Sec. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). - Within ninety (90) days

7 from the effectivity of this Act, the Department of Interior and Local Government 8 (DILG) in coordination with the Departments of Health (DOH) and Department of 9 Labor and Employment (DOLE) shall formulate the implementing rules and regulations 10 within thirty (30) days after effectivity of this Act.

Sec. 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held invalid or

unconstitutional, the other provisions not so declared shall remain in force and effect.

Sec. 9. Repealing Cause. - All laws, executive orders, presidential decrees,

administrative orders, rules and regulations, issuances, or parts thereof contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

Sec. 10. Effectivity. - Notwithstanding the non-issuance of the IRR, this Act

shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,