Iloilo pushes mental health care closer to communities under UHC

PASIG CITY — Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. highlighted the province’s push to integrate mental health and psychosocial interventions into Universal Health Care during the 1st Unilab Foundation Executive Forum on Monday, Sept. 28.

Defensor said the province is working to accredit its rural health units so they can access the mental health package, bringing such services closer to communities through the province’s primary health care system.

The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. offers an outpatient mental health benefit package that accredited primary care facilities can provide to members.

“We want to mainstream mental health and psychosocial intervention at the forefront of Universal Health Care,” Defensor said.

Held at the JY Hall of the Bayanihan Center on Pioneer Street, the forum gathered leaders from local and national government, academia, the private sector, and civil society to discuss practical solutions to strengthen local health systems.

Defensor was among the resource speakers who presented local initiatives and practices in implementing UHC.

Republic Act No. 11223, or the Universal Health Care Act, provides for equitable access to quality and affordable health care services while protecting Filipinos from financial risks associated with health care.

Then-President Rodrigo Duterte signed the law on Feb. 20, 2019.

The UHC Act works alongside Republic Act No. 11036, or the Philippine Mental Health Act of 2018, which requires the integration of mental health services into the public health system.

Defensor anchored his presentation on Section 2 of the UHC law, which emphasizes the state’s mandate to protect and promote the right to health of every Filipino.

He said UHC should also be viewed as an investment in human capital, particularly in areas that require greater attention, such as adolescent health and mental well-being.

“Sound mind, stronger people, better government, better democratic institutions,” Defensor said.

Among the initiatives he presented was the Program for Resilience of Iloilo in Mind and Emotion, or PRIME, a psychosocial support program launched in 2020 under the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office.

PRIME provides psychosocial interventions aimed at strengthening the emotional resilience of Ilonggos.

Defensor also introduced Executive Order No. 911, Series of 2026, which institutes the program as part of the province’s continuing mental health efforts.

The governor also highlighted other youth-focused initiatives, including the Teen Center 2.0 infrastructure project under the Provincial Population Office and the Tib-ong Kabataan Program of the Provincial Health Office.

He also cited the Bulig Eskwela sang Probinsya Program, which seeks to support an effective, relevant, and transformative education system for Ilonggo learners.

Iloilo has maintained a partnership with the Unilab Foundation since 2024, with the foundation providing technical assistance for provincial government projects focused on mental health.

After his presentation, Defensor joined a panel discussion with other local and health sector leaders on local initiatives, challenges, and solutions to improving health service delivery at the grassroots level.

The panelists were Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo, a former vice president; Cebu Gov. Pamela Baricuatro; Batanes Gov. Ronald Aguto Jr.; Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Ministry of Health Deputy Minister Dr. Azul Abas; Dr. Janine Patricia Robredo of Ariadne Labs, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health; and Institute for Autonomy and Governance Executive Director Atty. Benedicto Bacani.

Defensor was accompanied at the forum by Provincial Health Officer I Dr. Wendel Marcelo, Provincial Population Officer Atty. Ruel Von Superio, Provincial Population Office Division Chief Janel Alegata, and Provincial Community Defense Action Center Chief Carr Brian Griño.