Jonathan Frederic De Santos

Representative Zia Alonto Adiong joins the call for the House of Representatives to exercise its oversight powers and look into the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) on August 22, 2022. Press and Public Affairs Bureau/File

Article (news)

Vivienne Gulla

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, an assistant majority leader, assured the public that funding for mental health programs in schools will continue as the lower chamber deliberates on the proposed 2027 national budget.</p><p>School-based mental health programs under the Department of Education have been allocated P2.37 billion in the 2026 budget.</p><p>Adiong said the money can be used to hire 10,000 guidance counselors as non-teaching personnel to help conduct regular assessment of students.</p><p>He said that aside from the assessments, the money is meant for programs specifically meant to address bullying and violence in schools.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/8/18/shooting-incident-reported-inside-zamboanga-city-school-0934"><strong>Two dead in Ateneo de Zamboanga shooting </strong></a> </div><div><br/></div><div><strong>UTILIZATION RATE</strong></div><p>“Definitely, this will be a continuing program,&quot; he said, adding the budget for that can be augmented based on the utilization rate.</p><p>&quot;So we would like to know how speedy the hiring and how speedy the implementation of these programs are,” he added.</p><p>The House will hold budget hearings for each agency, and Adiong said lawmakers will seek updates from DepEd on how it has used the money allocated this year,</p><p>&quot;Whether this funding has been utilized. How many of the non-teaching personnel have been hired out of the 10,000 intended,&quot; he said. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/19/house-members-seek-inquiry-into-zamboanga-school-shooting-1835"><strong>House members seek inquiry into Zamboanga school shooting </strong></a> </div><p>Adiong issued the statement days after a school shooting in Zamboanga City where two students died. </p><p>&quot;I think these programs should continue,&quot; he said, given the incident on Tuesday and a school shooting in Tacloban City in June.</p>

<p>Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, an assistant majority leader, assured the public that funding for mental health programs in schools will continue as the lower chamber deliberates on the proposed 2027 national budget.</p>

Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, an assistant majority leader, assured the public that funding for mental health programs in schools will continue as the lower chamber deliberates on the proposed 2027 national budget.

Lawmaker promises continued House support for school mental health programs

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Lawmaker promises continued House support for school mental health programs

Vivienne Gulla,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 20, 2026 08:30 PM PHT

Read More:

House of Representatives

Mental health program

Schools

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