On 30 September 2025, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Mental Health Committee (MHC) conducted a successful set of seminars at the New Conference Room, National Headquarters (NHQ) in Muntinlupa City, with the overarching theme of “Healthy Minds at Work: The Philippine Mental Health Act.”
The event was led by CT/SUPT RUTH B ALGONES, head of the MHC, was attended by several of the agency’s key officials: CT/INSP MA TERESA P ANURI, Deputy Chief, New Bilibid Prison-Medium Security Camp (NBP-MedSeCamp) Infirmary, CT/INSP MARY ANNE L ESCULTO, Supervising Psychologist of Psychology Unit, NBP-Reception and Diagnostic Center (NBP-RDC); CT/INSP HASMIN P SESCAR, Chief Nurse, New Bilibid Prison Hospital (NBPH) and Chief Admin, Directorate for Health and Welfare Services (DHWS); and MS. LORNA D. ALCANTARA, Deputy Chief, Human Resource Division.
CT/CSUPT MA CECILIA V VILLANUEVA, MD, CPro, the Director of the DHWS, conducted the opening remarks. Her thoughtful words on the nature of mental health and its importance on both individual and organizational level set the scene for the discussion to come.
After an introduction by CTO2 Lucia E Santos, Acting Chief of the Behavior Modification Division (BMD), the seminar: “Awareness on RA 11036: Mental Health Act,” commenced with Ms. Michellane A. Riparip, Registered Guidance Counselor (RGC), as speaker. Mental health as a “state of well-being” was defined and cleared up of common misconceptions. Several potential factors from which mental health conditions can originate, as well as the importance of maintaining good mental health in the workplace, were also discussed. RA 11036 then became the main topic, with a focus on the rights of patients, their relatives, and mental health professionals, the duties of employers and institutions regarding the mental health of their personnel, and the psychosocial services and support systems available to Filipinos. Practical tips on stress management at work were given by the speaker, as well as suggested by the participants in a group activity.
CO1 Brylle M Magtalas introduced CTO2 Santos as the second speaker. Her talk was about “Practical Mental Health.” True to its title, the seminar centered on experiential explanations of mental health and how mental health issues can present, as well as ways to maintain and improve one’s mental health in all aspects: emotionally, socially, physically, and even financially.
Finally, CT/SUPT ALGONES delivered her closing remarks, which were brief but uplifting, stressing the importance of this initial step for BuCor’s budding Mental Health Program (MHP) and expressing gratitude towards all the attendees for their presence, time, and energy.
Overall, the day was fruitful, informative, and one of holistic learning. The Bureau thanks all the participating members of the committee and secretariat, along with the agency officials who supported this endeavor, for making the very first program of BuCor’s MHP a success.
Ms. Gabrielle M. Ballesteros
Contributor
