THE City Council of Bacolod City approved on third and final reading an ordinance declaring October 10 of every year as the Mental Health Day in the City of Bacolod.
Councilor Caesar Distrito authored the resolution which is also co-authored by Councilors Em Legaspi Ang and Ana Marie Palermo.
A Mental Health Week Committee will be created that will supervise and take charge of the planning and preparation of the events that will happen during the celebration.
The Mental Health Week Committee shall be composed of the City Health Office as chairperson of the Committee with the Office of the City Mayor, SP chairperson on Committee on Health, SP chairperson on Committee on Social Services, Department of Social Services and Development, Bacolod City Police Office, City Legal Office, City Treasurer’s Office and three representatives from accredited mental health advocate organizations with the support and coordination of Department of Education (Division Office) and Department of Interior and Local Government-Bacolod City.
The ordinance also provides that the committee shall plan, formulate and initiate activities that will inform and promote sound mental health and for the prevention of mental disorders.
The Committee may also prepare week-long activities provided that there shall be a resolution from the SP declaring the entire week as “Mental Health Week” which may be the week where October 10 falls.
It was also provided in the ordinance that an amount of P200 000 will be appropriated annually to carry out the provisions of the ordinance. (CNC)