Tacloban City – In a concerted effort to enhance the delivery of Mental, Neurological, and Substance (MNS) programs and services in Eastern Visayas, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region 8 participated in the Operational Planning of the Mental Health Framework from March 11-14, 2025, at Hotel Alejandro, Tacloban City. 
The four-day planning workshop, organized by the Eastern Visayas Mental Health Council (EVMHC) through the Department of Health (DOH) Region 8, gathered key government agencies and health institutions to strengthen intersectoral collaboration, optimize resource mobilization, and develop strategic and innovative solutions for mental health service delivery. 
A key highlight of the event was the review of the EVMHC Strategy Map, reinforcing its vision of “Marig-On nga Panhunahuna para ha tanan Sinirangang Bisayas” (A Strong Mindset for All in Eastern Visayas). Through interactive discussions and design thinking methodologies, stakeholders identified key challenges and developed prototypes for mental health interventions, focusing on service accessibility, public awareness, crisis resilience, and social protection for individuals with MNS conditions. 
The event concluded with an Action Planning Session, where participants outlined concrete steps for strengthening mental health programs at the regional and local levels. With DILG’s active involvement, the initiative is expected to support policy integration, funding allocation, and capacity-building efforts to institutionalize mental health services across LGUs in Eastern Visayas.
With strengthened collaboration among agencies, the operational planning is set to drive long-term improvements in mental health programs and services, ensuring a more responsive and inclusive approach to MNS service delivery in the region.
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