CEBU CITY, Jul. 5 (PIA)--The municipality of San Remigio was once again awarded for its mental health program by Americares Philippines, an international humanitarian organization.

San Remigio won the grand prize award this year for Excellence in Mental Health and Psychosocial Support conducted by Americares Philippines.

This is the second time the northern town received the award from Americares.

San Remigio, a third income class municipality in Cebu's fourth legislative district, was first awarded for its mental health program back in 2017.

According to Americares Country Director Paul Gwyn Pagaran, the award is presented to municipalities and cities in the province that have institutionalized program in mental health in terms of governance, fund allocation, program implementation, and services as well as documentation and record keeping.

San Remigio Mayor Mariano Martinez accepted the award for the municipality during the awarding ceremony held June 27, 2019 at Radisson Blu, this city.

San Remigio, which has 230 reported cases related to mental health, has established an institutionalised approach to mental health program by adopting resolutions on mental health with implementing rules and guidelines and a budget of P1.7 million for medicines alone.

The municipality has also allocated a separate budget for psychosocial support activities and personnel.

San Remigio also has a mental health facility with separate rooms for consultation, treatment, and counselling.

San Remigio Mayor Mariano Martinez pledged to further strengthen the local government's mental health program to help more service users, including those from nearby towns who come to San Remigio seeking help and treatment.

Americares works in 90 countries, including the Philippines, to help save lives and promote health and well-being of the vulnerable groups affected by poverty and disasters.

According to Dr. Jonathan Neil Erasmo of Department of Health (DOH)-7, Americares has been an international partner of DOH-7 starting 2013 when Typhoon Yolanda hit the region.

"The organization provided DOH with technical, financial, and logistical support through the establishment of mental and psychosocial support centers in three areas in northern Cebu," he said. (rmn)