Mati city gov't, PhilHealth ink pact for mental health care packages
By Ivy Tejano
DAVAO CITY – The city government of Mati and the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) have offered mental health care packages for their members.

Mati City Mayor Michelle Nakpil Rabat and PhilHealth-11 regional vice president Harvey Carcedo, with Mati City health officer Dr. Benhur Catbagan Jr. and PhilHealth social insurance officer Jonas Matthew Pang, signed the official agreement for the project on May 24.
Rabat said in a speech that she hopes Mati City can help more patients by partnering with PhilHealth. She thanked the PhilHealth for being the first to partner with them in the country.
The health package started in October 2023 and has two packages worth P9,000 and P16,000 per patient.
Catbagan said the agreement between Mati City and PhilHealth is a significant achievement for the city as the local government unit (LGU)-initiated community-based mental health care facility is now the third in the country to be approved by PhilHealth to provide mental health care services.
He said the facility is also the first community-based mental health facility initiated by the LGU in the country. Catbagan added that the Universal Health Care (UHC) law assured everyone that they can get the health services they need without facing financial difficulties.
“Access to mental health care is a significant challenge, not only in our country but globally. Here in Mati City, our journey to address this vital health need has been filled with several challenges and sacrifices,” Catbagan said.
Catbagan thanked Rabat and their collaborating stakeholders for achieving sustainable financing for mental health care with the help of their valued partners at PhilHealth. He said the city has now achieved UHC in mental health care, which all patients can access.
He said the facility has been in operation for about three years and has served over 400 beneficiaries from the city and other municipalities in Davao Oriental province. He added that many beneficiaries improved, recovered, and returned to their families and communities.
The city psychiatrist consultant operates under a service contract with the city government. The LGU funds the healthcare workers and the facility's operations. The medicines and supplies are jointly provided by the city government, Department of Health (DOH), and other stakeholders.