President Rodrigo Roa Duterte visited the troopers of the 602nd Infantry Brigade (602nd IB) in their headquarters at Camp Robert Edward Lucero in Carmen, North Cotabato on June 6, 2017. He kicked off his visit with a situation briefing with the Armed Forces of the Philippines officials. He then proceeded to talk to the troopers where he said the issue of terrorism has become complex now that the terrorists groups has used money from illegal drugs to fund their terrorist activities. He then ordered the soldiers to end the threat of the terrorists as he wants the terrorist groups crushed. Moreover, the President said he is putting the welfare of the soldiers as his top priority claiming that he will take full responsibility of the military's actions. He also announced that he has set aside a trust fund that will cover the educational expense of the soldiers' children. The President ended his speech by thanking the soldiers for serving the country and he also appealed for their loyalty as he needs the military to end terrorism in the country. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Mental Health Act nilagdaan ni Duterte

Rose Novenario June 22, 2018 News

NILAGDAAN ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte ang Republic Act No. 11036 o Mental Health Act kahapon.

Ang batas ay may layuning isulong ang proteksiyon sa karapatan ng mga taong may kapansanan sa pag-iisip sa pamamagitan nang paglalaan ng pondo para sa integrated mental health services.

Base sa batas, titiyakin ng estado ang maagap, abot-kaya, de-kalidad at “culturally-appropriate” na mental health care at ang sakit sa pag-iisip ay gagamutin at maiiwasan.

“The State also ensures that timely, affordable, high quality, and culturally-appropriate mental health care is made available to the public; services will be free from coercion and accountable to the service users; and those with mental health conditions are able to exercise the full range of human rights, and participate fully in society and at work, free from stigmatization and discrimination,” ayon sa batas.

Isa sa mga pangunahing layunin ng batas ay lumikha ng isang “comprehensive, integrated, effective, and efficient national mental health care system” na tutugon sa psychiatric, neurologic, at psychological needs ng mga Filipino.

Kasama rin sa mental health services ang mga mekanismo para sa suicide intervention, prevention at response strategies na may partikular na pagtutok sa mga kabataan.

May mga itatakdang hotlines para umasiste sa mga indibiduwal na may kondisyon sa pag-iisip, na bukas 24-oras.

(ROSE NOVENARIO)