LOCAL PRESS RELEASE:

OFFICE OF CONG. MARIA CARMEN S. ZAMORA

REP. ZAMORA-BACKED MENTAL HEALTH BILL HURDLES SECOND READING

The House of Representatives has approved on second reading a bill that would protect,
among others, the rights of individuals suffering from mental health conditions. The favorable vote
came for House Bill No. 6452 (Philippine Mental Health Act of 2017) during the legislatures
October 10, 2017 session. Rep. Maria Carmen Zamora, first district, Compostela Valley Province,
is a staunch supporter of the bill, having signed as a co-author at the start of the 17th Congress.

This is a big moment, but we cannot let up until this proposal finally becomes a law. The
country is one of the few countries left without a mental health policy. We badly need this piece of
legislation, Rep. Zamora said.

We are now one step closer to realizing a national mental health law to address the
Filipinos mental health needs and ensure that our rights as persons with mental health needs are
protected and secured, the lady legislator added.

The bill seeks to integrate mental health services and programs in the public health system.
It also mandates the government to put up basic mental health services at the community level and
psychiatric, psychosocial and neurological services in all regional, provincial and tertiary
hospitals.

We are confident that the enactment of this bill into law will bring about a more
progressive and stronger system for ensuring the mental health and well-being of not only of those
suffering from mental health conditions, but of all Filipinos. Through it, we will have stronger
mechanisms to ensure the protection of rights of individuals suffering from mental health
conditions, the ComVal solon also said.

Earlier this year, the Senate passed its version of the proposal.

***

OFFICE OF CONG. MARIA CARMEN S. ZAMORA

Representative, Compostela Valley, 1st District
Rm. S - 405, House of Representatives, Quezon City
Phone: 931-5001 local 7246, 9316682

ref:

Atty. Arlene Roura 09209518639 / 9316682

Eisen Concepcion 09167735191 / 9316682