Public schools are being pushed to place trained mental health personnel closer to students as the hiring of School Counselor Associates moves under a law backed by a 2026 budget allocation.
Senator Bong Go supported the Senate’s call to speed up the hiring of School Counselor Associates in public schools, saying learners facing stress, bullying, family problems, and other difficulties need timely help inside schools.
The push is tied to Republic Act No. 12080, or the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act, a measure Go co-authored and co-sponsored. The law mandates a School-Based Mental Health Program for learners in basic education and provides for new Department of Education positions, including School Counselor Associates.
The 2026 national budget allocates ₱2 billion for 10,000 School Counselor Associate I positions.
“Kapag mental health ng kabataan ang pinag-uusapan, hindi puwedeng mabagal ang aksyon. Dapat may sapat na tao sa mga paaralan na makikinig, gagabay, at tutulong sa mga estudyanteng may pinagdadaanan,” Go said.
Under RA 12080, the position may be filled by graduates of Guidance and Counseling or Psychology, holders of any bachelor’s degree with at least 18 units in either field, or graduates of related programs with at least 18 units in Behavioral Science and 200 hours of supervised practicum or internship in guidance and counseling, preferably in a school or community setting.
“Maraming kabataan ang tahimik lang pero may mabigat na pinagdadaanan. Kung may counselor o trained personnel sa paaralan, mas maaga silang matutulungan. Mas mabuti na maagapan kaysa hintayin pa na lumala ang problema,” Go said.
Go also pointed to Senate Bill No. 176, which concerns Mental Health Offices in State Universities and Colleges, as part of efforts to expand student mental health support beyond basic education. He said laws and budgets must translate into services that students can feel in schools.
