Mental Health Law is a Christmas Gift to Filipino Families - Advocates Tell Congress

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Mental health professionals, family support groups, youth and advocates on Monday gathered to show support for the Philippine Mental Health Bill, urging the House of Representatives for its final approval of what they call “a Christmas gift to the Filipino family”. 

In a press conference in Quezon City, a gathering of advocates called the Mental Health Alliance [MHA] in support of the said bill underscored the importance of integrating mental health in the country’s public healthcare system. House Bill No. 6452 or the Comprehensive Mental Health Act was approved on second reading last month by the House of Representatives. It will be up for third and final reading once Session resumes in November.

“Health is essential to development and there is no health without mental health”, said Dr. June Lopez of the Philippine Psychiatric Association [PPA]. ““The passage of the Bill into law will seal the government’s commitment to promote mental health services to Filipinos who need it,” Dr. Lopez added. 

According to data provided by the Department of Health and the World Health Organization, 7 Filipinos commit suicide every day and 1 in 5 Filipino adults suffer from a certain mental health concern, the most common of which are depression and schizophrenia. “This is a cause for alarm and should be addressed urgently”, said Dr. Lopez.

Prevention and Not Only Treatment

Dr. Lopez pointed out that both the Senate and House Bill recognize the importance of preventive and community based programs.  “With the passage of the Bill, we can foresee the offering of programs that enhance the resilience of individuals, families and communities.” Dr. Bautista added.  

As a rejoinder, Dr. Lopez remarked, “We especially laud both the Senate and House versions for considering the specific budgetary provisions to ensure the successful implementation of the law”

Pamasko

“Namamasko po kami sa liderato at mga miyembro ng Kamara de Representante”, urged Dr. Bolet Bautista of the Psychological Association of the Philippines [PAP].  

Early this year, the Senate approved on third and final reading its own version of the bill.  Once the House of Representatives approves the said bill on third and final reading, it will be finalized by a bicameral conference committee and transmitted to the President for signing into law.  

“The ball now rests with the House leadership so we would like to respectfully ask our Representatives in Congress to heed our call: the Philippine Mental Health Bill is long overdue”, Dr. Bautista added. 

Broad Support

The Youth for Mental Health Coalition [Y4MH], for its part, claimed that the bill enjoys a wide support base. “The issue of mental health has long been discussed in hushed voices. But nowadays, we feel a change in the public’s mood”, claimed Y4MH’s Patrick Wincy Reyes, a student leader. 

“The passage of this bill into law will be celebrated by everyone, young and old. The commitment of the House leadership to this bill will be a victory for the 17th Congress”, Reyes added. 

Support in Challenging Life Experiences

“The Mental Health Bill is not only for those with diagnosable mental health conditions.  Rather, it is for all Filipinos. Its provisions target the protection and promotion of well-being and mental health of every Filipino”, Dr. Bautista pointed out. 

This means there will be mental health services that will provide support to Filipinos undergoing challenging experiences like migration, marital conflict, life transitions, disaster experience, and war to name a few of such concerns.

Mental health in Marawi

In relation to this, the group pointed out that mental health concerns arising out of the experience of armed conflict, such as in war-torn Marawi, are also addressed by the Mental Health Bill. “Those who have gone through war experience much suffering, which could include a sense of being unmoored and hopeless”, said Dr. Bautista. She explained that psychosocial support provided to survivors of major crisis, such as the war in Marawi, will moderate stress reactions, prevent the development of more long lasting disturbing emotional problems, and help promote not just a sense of normalcy but hope and recovery. “Such support must reach civilian individuals and families as well as the soldiers who risk their lives and wellbeing in going to battle”, she furthered.

“All Filipinos are entitled to mental health, good relationships, and a life that offers many opportunities to thrive” Dr. Bautista concluded.

Kevin Belingon hungry for Another KO Win to Cement Position as Next Title Challenger

For the past three outings of Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon inside the ONE Championship cage, the Filipino mixed martial artist has proven himself as the next worthy contender for the coveted ONE Bantamweight World Championship.

Ever since unsuccessfully challenging Bibiano Fernandes for the gold-plated strap in January 2016, Belingon has run through his recent opposition by piling up three-straight stellar victories.

Following his submission setback to Fernandes, Belingon took several months off before re-emerging in October 2016 by handing top Tajik prospect Muin Gafurov his second professional loss via unanimous decision.

Belingon followed it up with an astounding knockout conquest of Finnish dynamo and former title contender Toni Tauru last April in front of a sold-out crowd at the 20,000-capacity SM Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines.

In his most recent bout, Belingon showcased another epic performance by notching a first-round knockout win over fellow ex-title challenger Reece “Lightning” McLaren last August.

After picking up an emphatic victory over McLaren, it appeared that Belingon was on his way to a second encounter with Fernandes.

However, Belingon is having a slight detour towards his goal to meet Fernandes again as he has been booked to face Korean-American standout Kevin “Old Boy” Chung in a three-round affair on the undercard of ONE: LEGENDS OF THE WORLD, which takes place at the 20,000-seater SM Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines on 10 November.

For Belingon, his cage showdown with Chung is an opportunity to make a truly impressive statement as his objective is to score a rematch with Fernandes for the organization’s bantamweight title.

“Make no mistake about it, my performances in the cage as of late are a message to the organization and to the reigning ONE Bantamweight World Champion. I am coming for that belt, and no one can stop me. Whoever they put in front of me, I will be looking to destroy. I am a man on a mission,” he stated.

According to Belingon, defeating Chung in decisive fashion may strengthen his bid to get a rematch with Fernandes.

“My mindset remains to showcase my skills and remain focused on executing the game plan. My team and I have devised a tremendous strategy in dealing with my next opponent. Even though I have scored some recent knockouts, I am not going in there recklessly,” he explained.

“If at any point I sense my opponent is ready to go, and the knockout presents itself, I am like a shark in a fish tank. There is no doubt I will go for the finish, and I will end matters quickly. I will strike my opponent until the referee pulls me off him,” Belingon added.

It seemed to take the 30-year-old Baguio City native a while to realize just how merciless his striking power is.

Despite running at breakneck speed to 9-0 at the start of his professional career, the Team Lakay bantamweight was not a renowned knockout artist.

But since signing with ONE Championship in 2012 and focusing on his training regime in the mountain region of the Philippines, five of his seven victories have come by way of knockout.

“I have bolstered my training, working on all areas of my game from striking to grappling,” Belingon shared.

With his Wushu background honed under Mark Sangiao, Belingon is as lethal as the nickname suggest as he is fast, destructive and goes for the clean shot.

Belingon is literally punching his way to a second title opportunity against division kingpin Fernandes, having recently knocked out two former world title challengers in the very first round.

“I want to show everybody that I am the real title challenger-in-waiting. I have realized my mistakes in my first encounter with Bibiano, and I have worked hard to erase those flaws. He is a great world champion, but I feel things will go differently if we ever meet again. The time will come when I will be able to showcase my improvements,” he stressed.

Although vying for the ONE Bantamweight World Championship title remains as his top priority, Belingon clarified that his current focus is fixed on his date with Chung at ONE: LEGENDS OF THE WORLD.

“My opponent is not easy, and I am not taking him for granted, which is why I am completely focused on my upcoming bout this November 10. This is a dangerous game we play, and we cannot underestimate anybody. I need to be at my absolute best so I can turn in another great performance for the fans. Competing in front of my hometown crowd, the pressure is on to score another huge victory,” he declared.

The stakes are incredibly high for Belingon, unveiling that he is preparing himself to be in the best shape of his life.

Belingon knows that each win from here on out is another step closer to the ONE Bantamweight World Championship belt.

“I know I will meet Bibiano again in that cage, and when that day comes, I need to be prepared. There is not a day that has passed that I have not thought about that first bout. But for now, my objective is to win against Kevin Chung on November 10,” he ended.

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DOE Rolls Out Efficiency and Conservation Plans ‎2018-2040

EFFICIENCY PLANNERS: Participants and organizers of the Energy Utilization Management Bureau's Strategic Planning Workshop (SPW) in a unity photo after their culmination activity in Tagaytay on setting programs and projects for the country's effective utilization of energy. The event aims to further align EUMB’s plans and projects with the DOE’s direction for 2017 to 2040.

Aiming to empower consumers to be more energy efficient, the Department of Energy-Energy Utilization and Management Bureau (DOE-EUMB) and its stakeholders conducted a Strategic Planning Workshop (SPW) from 16 to 20 October in Tagaytay City.

“Diskarte and efficient ways through our short, medium and long term programs are the things we can share to our consumers to be smarter in utilizing their energy,” Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi said.

The SPW kicked off highlighting the proposed activities and updates on the Department’s programs of promoting energy utilization such as the government enercon program, e-vehicles, fuel economy run and the “E-Power Mo” Campaign.

According to Dir. Jesus T. Tamang, OIC for EUMB, “SPW is an opportunity for us to assess and evaluate our programs and projects and to identify the items for improvement.”

On the second day, EUMB’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Division (EECD) and the Alternative Fuels and Energy Technologies Division (AFETD) presented their individual roadmaps.

Some of EECD’s plans include: the advocacy for the legislation of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Bill; conduct of information, education and communication (IEC) campaigns; integration of energy efficiency and conservation (EE&C) in the LGU development plans and in the curriculum of the educational system; and, expansion of financing opportunities for EE&C stakeholders and projects.

AFETD for its part, plans to increase the public use of alternative fuels and other emerging energy technologies. This includes the establishment of mechanisms for the promotion, adoption and commercialization of alternative fuels and capacity building for innovators in the energy sector.

Other topics include risk and opportunity assessment, Corrective and Preventive Action Plan (CAPA), vision sharing and firming up ‎‎2018-2020 targets for Energy Utilization Management Bureau and the DOE Field Offices.

Days 3 and 4 covered the review of the budget for FY2017 and proposed budget for FY2018 and FY2019.

“This event is also a way to recalibrate our schedule and work program to achieve the goals set by Sec. Cusi,” Dir. Tamang said.