Labella: Deal with 'taong grasa' at barangay level

City councilor Edgardo Labella contended that because the city government does not necessarily own a facility for mentally ill patients such as the "taong grasa", it would be better if barangay officials establish a working partnership with private entities that cater to emotionally disturbed/troubled or mentally ill patients.

Also, proper coordination with private entities is seen as an answer to the persisting problem of the "taong grasa" that continue to roam on city streets.

The national government-owned Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center that admits mentally ill patients is already fully booked, thus many of these patients just roam around the city and are usually neglected by their families and are bereft of food, shelter and proper medical attention.

However, Labella found that entities such as the Maria Josefa Recio Therapeutic Center and the Panaglaum Incorporated can help solve the problem.

The therapeutic center, located in barangay San Jose, is being managed by the Josefa Hospitaller Foundation, through the Hospitaller Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, while the Panaglaum was formed by a group of private psychiatrists.

What the barangays in the city should do is to establish a concrete partnership with these institutions to address the persistent problem of the mentally ill patients. This can be initiated by the Association of Barangay Councils currently headed by Councilor Eugenio Faelnar.

With a legitimate partnership establishment, Labella said a concrete plan of action can then be implemented, contending that under the Local Government Code, the barangays are the basic local government units that may provide for safety measures and health needs to its residents.

The Cebu City Health Department and the Cebu City Medical Center can also take part in this endeavor.

"Mentally ill patients roaming around city barangays are usually neglected and left on their own, without any care, food, shelter, and medicines...there is a need for barangays in Cebu City to coordinate with mental health professionals and institutions to address the mental health problems at the level of the barangays," Labella said. - Joeberth M. Ocao