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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Ejercito bats for additional funds for mental health programs

Ejercito bats for additional funds for mental health programs

Published Nov 13, 2025 05:17 pm

At A Glance

  • Sen. JV Ejercito vowed to push for higher funding in the ongoing 2026 national budget deliberations, citing the growing need for accessible and sustainable mental health support across the country.

Senate Deputy Majority Leader Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito has called on lawmakers to approve additional funding for mental health programs to strengthen the services, as more Filipinos continue to battle mental health challenges.

Ejercito made the call after meeting today, Thursday, November 13, with the Philippine Council for Mental Health (PCMH) to discuss ongoing mental health initiatives under the law and other related measures.

“Our meeting today coincides with World Kindness Day. We really need to exercise more kindness every day especially at a time when there’s so much online hate and stress. Sometimes, simple ‘kindness’ can help save a life,” said Ejercito, author and sponsor of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act.

The senator noted that the government already funds several mental health services, including consultations, access to maintenance medicines, and hotlines such as those operated by the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH). 

Some DOH hospitals and rural health units also provide free mental health medicines and therapy sessions. Also, NCMH Crisis Hotline provides 24/7, free telemental services such as supportive counseling, psychosocial support, and referral.

“There are programs like hotline, free medicines and maintenance for mental health. But the problem is, the people do not know,” he said.

“We need to intensify the information campaign and provide additional funds so more people can be reached,” he emphasized.

Ejercito vowed to push for higher funding in the ongoing 2026 national budget deliberations, citing the growing need for accessible and sustainable mental health support across the country.

“Mental health is health. We must continue to care for both the body and the mind. I will fight for a bigger budget to make sure every Filipino can get the help they need, when they need it,” said the senator who recently filed Senate Bill No. 1474, the Anti-Online Hate and Harassment  Bill or the “Emman Atienza Bill.”

The measure seeks to address the growing wave of cyberbullying, fake news, and online defamation in the country, especially against vulnerable users such as the youth.

Related Tags

Mental health mental health support 2026 budget JV Ejercito Emman Atienza
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