𝑺𝒆𝒆𝒌𝒔 𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒍𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒚, 𝒑𝒔𝒚𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒂𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒄, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒏𝒆𝒖𝒓𝒐𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒊𝒄𝒆𝒔 𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒖𝒕-𝒑𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒆

Representative Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. is pushing for broader mental health coverage under PhilHealth through House Bill No. 2933, which seeks to expand the current out-patient benefit package to include emergency mental health care, psychiatric, and neurological services.

Filed on August 4, 2025, the bill aims to address the limited access to mental health services in the country. In his explanatory note, Lazatin cited the lack of mental health facilities and the high cost of treatment, stating that current benefits — ₱9,000 annually for general health services and ₱16,000 for specialty services — are insufficient for those with mental health disorders.

“This measure is necessary to provide more accessible and effective support for Filipinos facing mental health challenges,” Lazatin stressed.

As former mayor of Angeles City, Lazatin championed mental health efforts by implementing a rescue and rehabilitation program for mentally challenged individuals found in public areas. Between 2020 and June 2025, the city government rescued and funded treatment for 210 individuals through private mental health institutions.