ANGELES CITY — Pampanga 1st District Rep. Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. is seeking mental health emergency, psychiatric, and neurological services to be included in the PhilHealth Mental Health Benefit Package for Out-Patient, through House Bill No. 2933, “Expanding The Primary Care Package Under PhilHealth To Include Benefit Package For Mental Health And For Other Purposes,” which he filed on Aug. 4.
“There is a dearth of mental health services including hospitals and facilities in the country for individuals facing mental health challenges,” said Lazatin in the bill’s explanatory note.
The current benefit packages for outpatient offered by PhilHealth amounts to P9,000 for General Health Services and P16,000 for Specialty Health Services annually.
Lazatin notes that due to the expensive treatment for mental health disorders, the current benefit package is not enough; hence, the need to expand its coverage to include other services in order to make a significant impact in addressing mental health concerns.
The issue of mental health has always been front and center for Lazatin.
During his time as mayor of Angeles City, Lazatin implemented a rescue program for mentally-challenged individuals roaming the streets of the city. Upon rescue, the individuals were brought to third-party private mental health institutions and underwent treatment, paid for by the city government.
From 2020 to June 2025, when Lazatin stepped down as mayor, the city government rescued and sponsored the treatment of 210 mentally-challenged individuals. Team Lazatin-PR
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