MANILA, Philippines – Dalawang panukala na nakatuon sa pagpapalakas ng kampanya laban sa mental health crisis sa bansa ang inihain sa Kamara ni Deputy Speaker and Las Piñas City lone district Rep. Camille Villar.
Sa ilalim ng House Bill (HB) No. 10934 nais ni Villar na maisama ang mental health disorders sa benefit packages na maaaring makuha sa Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth).
“In order to address this seeming mental health crises among our population, this bill shall expand the coverage of the benefit package to include all mental health disorders and regardless of age group,” paliwanag ni Villar.
Nababahala si Villar sa ipinalabas na report ng Philippine Council for Mental Health (PCMH) na nagpapakita na nasa 3.3 percent ng populasyon ng bansa o 3.3 million Pinoy ang nakakaranas ng depression.
Sa oras na maisabatas, maisasama sa Philhealth benefit package ang emergency services, psychiatric at neurological services, Mental Health Gap Action Program at therapy sessions.
“This bill also address the rising costs of mental health treatment by mandating an appropriate increase in PhilHealth’s benefit package taking into consideration the current costs in medical services,” dagdag pa ng lady solon.
Samantala sa ikalawang panukala ni Villar na HB No. 10929 ay layon na magbigay ng three-day mental health wellness leave na may full pay sa mga mangaggawa sa public at private sectors.
“It is the hope of this bill to increase labor productivity and efficiency and raise awareness of the importance of mental health not only for the individual well-being of the employees but also to the overall health and well-being of our nation,” giit nito.
Sinabi ni Villar na ang kanyang panukala ay pagpapalakas pa sa Republic Act (RA) No. 11036 o ang Mental Health Act. Gail Mendoza
