A crisis intervention facility operating 24/7 will soon be established in Bacolod City after the Sangguniang Panlungsod approved an ordinance creating it on third and final reading Wednesday, September 20.
The ordinance, authored by Councilor Em Ang, requires the establishment of a Bacolod “Crisis Intervention Center”, which aims to provide a 24-hour, 7 days a week action center to immediately act on cases of individuals or families in crisis situations.
The facility will have an appropriation of P13,123,023 from the city’s general fund for the construction or renovation of the facility, for the plantilla position of a Psychologist III, general services that cover other personnel, and its operation and maintenance.
The ordinance states that the facility will function as space for individual and group conferences and assessment, provide specialty support, coordinate with government agencies and other stakeholders for crisis intervention, have a 24/7 hotline for crisis intervention and counseling, consolidate programs on drug rehabilitation, mental health, crisis support, alcohol abuse, among others, and prepare reports and case files.
Crisis situations encompass a spectrum of circumstances brought by problems or an emergency which a person may find difficulty in coping without needed intervention, it stated.
The ordinance also stated that mental health can be drastically affected by social change requiring interventional support from the community.*