Halfway house eyed for mentally ill

To secure the condition of mentally-ill Dabawenyos, a halfway house is eyed to be established to cater to their needs, a Davao City councilor said.

“Because as we know sa karun kay ginaayo pa ang IPBM (Institute of Psychiatric Behavorial Medicine), so wala pay admissions (Because as we know now, the IPBM is still under renovation, so there’s no admission yet). So those who are treated on an out-patient basis, they have nowhere to go,” Davao City Councilor Mary Joselle Villafuerte said during the Kapehan sa Dabaw at The Annex of SM City Davao yesterday.

Villafuerte said the proposed halfway house for the mentally-ill individuals will help in truly addressing the mental condition of these people rather than that of the police mobile.

Villafuerte said most local government units (LGUs) use patrol mobile in getting mentally-ill individuals who are in rage and leave them in a remote area.

“And they will end up just wandering there. That’s why we really need the assistance of our city mayor also in asking the necessary budget,” Villafuerte said.

She added that the halfway house proposal will hopefully be strengthened with the recent approval and signing of the Republic Act 11036 or the Mental Health Law.

The city councilor said around P5 million is needed in putting up a decent mental facility.

Philippine Mental Health Association (PMHA) Davao chapter executive director Precious Manliguez said that the facility will also help addressing mental health assistance without going to IPBM.

“This would definitely be a big help in really solving the issue rather than just having them ride the patrol car and leave them elsewhere,” Manliguez said.