Solons train sights on improving Mental Health Act flaws

By Wilnard Bacelonia

MANILA – Senators admitted on Tuesday that there are “issues” in the implementation of Republic Act (RA) 11036 or the Philippine Mental Health Act.

Senator Christopher Lawrence Go cited the distressing situation at the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) in Mandaluyong City.

Senator Raffy Tulfo conducted a surprise ocular inspection at the NCMH in early April after receiving a tip on the worsening condition of the hospital.

“Ako rin po ay ilang beses na bumisita sa ilang mental health facilities noon at saksi po ako sa kawawang kalagayan ng mga pasyente doon (I have visited numerous times some mental health facilities before and I witnessed the pitiful situation of the patients there),”

Go, chair of the Committee on Health and Demography, said during the panel’s oversight hearing.

Filipinos to healthcare. How can we decongest NCMH in order to improve its current state? Where can we transfer recovered patients who have nowhere to go,” he asked.

In a news release, Tulfo reported a female ward that smelled of feces and urine, made even awful by the smell of garbage dumped outside.

The Forensic Ward that houses patients with pending cases was cramped, has inadequate ventilation and only has two ceiling fans.

Former president Rodrigo Duterte signed RA 11036 on June 20, 2018, a bill principally authored by

Senator Risa Hontiveros.

The law establishes the National Mental Health Policy directed towards improving the mental health of Filipinos and underscores the right of all to mental health care.

Specifically, it aims to provide mental health services to the community level and integrate mental health and wellness programs to the grassroots.

RA 11036 also seeks to improve facilities and promote mental health education in schools and workplaces.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, who chairs the Committee on Basic Education, said he will soon sponsor a bill that will go deeper into the mental health and wellness programs of basic education institutions.

“This hearing is timely because in Section 23 of RA 11036, it’s mentioned there explicitly that the integration of mental health into the education system is mandatory as described in the law. But if you read the law very carefully, it gave you a broad framework on what to go into. But on the detail of what programs; who will implement the programs; what are the bottlenecks to implement the programs are missing,” mits in Indonesia.

Marcos said he is considering appointing several politicians who lost in the May 9, 2022 polls to his Cabinet by the end of the first year of his term.

The first year has been enough, he said, to deter- mine and assess the performance of his Cabinet members.

“In a sense, tapos na yung OJT [on-the job training] ng lahat ng tao (In a sense, everyone’s OJT is done). We’ve seen who performs

DFA: Teves given 5 days to leave Timor-Leste

By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora

MANILA – Timor-Leste has denied the request of suspended Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr.’s for political asylum, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported Tuesday night.

Timor-Leste has given Teves five days to leave their country.

“Today, the Ministry of Interior of Timor-Leste confirmed that Representative Teves' application for political asylum has been denied,” it said.

Timor-Leste. During this time, he also has the option to file an appeal regarding the decision,” it added.

The DFA confirmed that Teves is currently in Dili, Timor-Leste where he submitted his application for political asylum.

The solon, who is implicated in the killing of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo and nine others on March 4, has yet to return to the Philippines despite the expiration of his personal travel authority last March 9.

“The state of the National Center for Mental Health is in need of utmost attention and improvement to preserve the basic right of all National Center for Mental Health

Publication Notice

R.A. 9048/ R.A. 10172

Republic of the Philippines Local Civil Registry Office Province of Davao del Sur Municipality of Hagonoy

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

CCE-0015-2023 RA 10172

April 25, 2023

In compliance with the publication requirement and pursuant to OCRG Memorandum Circular No. 2013-1 Guidelines In the Implementation of the Administrative Order No. 1, Series of 2012 (IRR on R.A. 10172), Notice is hereby served to the public that ROWENA SULAYBAGUIO DAGING has filed with this Office, a petition for correction of child’s sex/gender from Male to FEMALE in the certificate of live birth of ROWENA SULAYBAGUIO DAGING at Guihing, Hagonoy, Davao del Sur and whose parents are Felix G. Daging, Sr. and Mamerta B. Sulaybaguio

Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his/her written opposition with this Office not later than May 25, 2023.

(SGD) PUREZA S. CABARDO Gov’t. Dept. Head (MCR) has filed with this Office, a petition for correction of entry in the child’s sex from “ MALE ” to “ FEMALE ” in the Certificate of Live Birth of ELGIE ALMARIO GEMOYA at Tibolo, Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur and whose parents are MAGDALENO GEMOYA and ESTERLINA ALMARIO. Any person adversely affected by said petition may file his written opposition with this Office not later than 26th day of May 2023.

(SGD) MARIO M. TIZON Municipal Civil Registrar

“In accordance with the decision of the Timor-Leste Government, Representative Teves has been granted a period of five days to depart

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Tuesday said the government has taken “concrete steps” to designate Teves as a terrorist under the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020. (PNA)

MDN: May 4 & 11, 2023

MDN: May 4 & 11, 2023