August 6, 2025 marked another defining moment in the transformation of mental healthcare in the Philippines, as the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH) officially blessed and inaugurated its newest facility—the Emergency Response and Crisis Intervention (ERCI) Complex. The event gathered government leaders, healthcare professionals, and community partners in a shared celebration of compassion, service, and hope.
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Distinguished guests with Dr. Noel V. Reyes, NCMH Medical Center Chief II (L–R): Mandaluyong City Mayor Menchie Abalos, Congresswoman Queenie Gonzales, former Senate Spouses Foundation, Inc. (SSFI) President Congresswoman Audrey Zubiri, and former Congressman Boyet Gonzales II. |
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ER Complex at a Glance A. Capacity
B. First Floor
C. Second Floor
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A Sanctuary of Urgent Care and Healing
Nestled within the 33-hectare NCMH grounds, the ERCI Complex addresses a long-standing challenge: fragmented emergency care services across a vast hospital landscape. Through this unified facility, psychiatric and medical emergency services—including pediatric, OB, internal medicine, and surgical care—are now centralized in one building.
“Ngayon po, pinag-isa na natin ang emergency rooms para sa mental health, medical, surgical, OB—even for our youth. Iisang lugar na lang po,” said Dr. Noel V. Reyes, NCMH Medical Center Chief II.
Dr. Reyes emphasized how the facility enables a holistic and integrated treatment approach, aligning with the mandates of the Mental Health Act, Universal Health Care Act, and Department of Health directives. He also announced the parallel inauguration of a new Activity and Rehabilitation Center, further strengthening the continuum of care for service users preparing for reintegration into the community.
A Legacy of Support and Solidarity
Former Congressman Neptali “Boyet” Gonzales II brought lightness and sincerity to his remarks, highlighting his family's long-standing connection to NCMH through his late father, former Speaker Neptali A. Gonzales Sr.
Describing the relationship as "symbiotic," he reminded the audience of the critical need for infrastructure support in government hospitals:
“Nothing can really be built—literally and figuratively—without solid infrastructure. That’s why legislators must help push for these kinds of projects.”
He credited strong partnerships and responsive public officials—such as those in the Senate Spouses Foundation, Inc. (SSFI)—for enabling much-needed investments in mental health.
A Legacy of Healing and Hope
In her keynote message, Congresswoman Audrey Kay Aquino-Tan Zubiri, former SSFI President, shared the deeply personal and purposeful beginnings of the project.
“This all began almost as early as 2022,” she recalled. “I had envisioned that the Senate Spouses Foundation would come up with a legacy project—not just something for a district or a small group—but something that could uplift the nation.”
Having witnessed the emotional toll of the COVID-19 pandemic, she made mental health a key priority. After a visit to NCMH in September 2022, consultations followed, leading to groundbreaking in February 2023, and inclusion in the 2024 General Appropriations Act. Now in 2025, the ERCI Complex stands as a testament to what collective commitment can achieve.
“What was once a conversation, a blueprint, a dream—has now come to life.”
Congresswoman Zubiri acknowledged the dedication of NCMH staff and addressed the stigma historically associated with Mandaluyong:
“All jokes aside, I think you should be proud. Mandaluyong is now top of mind because people trust you. They know that if they need help, they come here—because this is where the experts are.”
Citing an estimated 12.5 million Filipinos living with mental health conditions, she stressed the urgency of breaking barriers of access, poverty, and stigma. She concluded:
“This project is a legacy—but more importantly, it’s a reminder of our shared purpose: to lift each other up, especially those who have forgotten how to lift themselves.”
A Call to Collective Action
In her closing message, Dr. Constantina Manalo-Ocampo, Chief of the ERCI Section, offered heartfelt thanks to all who made the project possible:
“This Emergency Complex is not just a building. It is the embodiment of a shared vision—to provide timely, humane, and responsive care to individuals in the midst of psychiatric crisis.”
She reaffirmed the role of NCMH as a national reference center for mental health care systems nationwide:
“Bilang pambansang sentro sa kalusugang pangkaisipan, ito po ay isa sa mga patunay na handa na ang aming institusyon na magtaguyod ng mga functional mental health centers sa bansa.”
Ending on a hopeful note, she declared:
“As we open the doors of this facility, may it stand not only as a center for emergency psychiatric care, but also as a symbol of hope, compassion, and collective action.”
Honoring the Day’s Partners and Guests
The event was graced by several government leaders and esteemed guests, including Hon. Carmelita “Menchie” Abalos, Mayor of Mandaluyong, and Hon. Anthony Suva, Vice Mayor of Mandaluyong. Representing the city’s legislative branch were members of the City Council and Barangay Captains, whose presence affirmed strong local government support for mental health advancement.
Also in attendance was Congresswoman Alexandria “Queenie” Gonzales, who serves as the Multi-Sector Governance Council (MSGC) representative for Community Partnerships. She was joined by fellow MSGC members: Mr. Cris M. De Luna, representing Healthcare IT; Mr. Christopher Hernandez, representing Allied Mental Health Professionals; and mental health advocates Mr. Yves Miel Zuñiga and Ms. Lawrence Joy Dela Fuente, who continue to amplify the voices of individuals and families affected by mental health conditions.
From the Department of Health and oversight bodies, the event welcomed Dr. Carmela Granada, Chief of the Mental Health Division under the Disease Prevention and Control Bureau (DPCB) of the DOH. Ms. Amelia Castro, Supervising Auditor of the Commission on Audit (COA), and Ms. Carmen Ramos, Audit Team Leader.
Representing the internal leadership of NCMH were members of the Executive Committee, Management Committee, and the PGS Core and Support Team Leads, all of whom played instrumental roles in the planning, coordination, and realization of the ERCI Complex. The program was ably facilitated by Atty. Jose Marie Iporac, Chief of the Public Health Unit.
The solemnity and pride of the occasion were elevated by special performances from the NCMH Band and Choir, who rendered the national anthem “Lupang Hinirang” and the institutional hymn “Aming Mithiin.”
The successful inauguration was made possible through the dedicated efforts of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Inauguration of New NCMH Facilities, bringing together a diverse group of leaders, partners, and stakeholders—united by a shared commitment to NCMH transformation.
What’s Next: Building Forward, Together
As NCMH continues to evolve into the country’s premier national specialty center for mental health, even more transformative projects are taking shape—designed to expand access, improve outcomes, and uphold dignity in care.
The next major milestone will be the inauguration of the MRI Complex and the Forensic Psychiatry New Building on September 17, 2025—another critical step in modernizing diagnostic and legal-psychiatric services.
Together, we move forward, toward a mental health system that is more responsive, inclusive, and humane.
Mabuhay ang NCMH!
Author: Atty. Rico J. Caraos, MD, FPPA
Still Images: Mr. Al Joseph F. Garcia
Layout/Additional Stills: Mr. Lucky Bryan A. Martin
Office for Strategy Management
NCMH
