THE Civil Service Commission (CSC) yesterday said it is ready to fully support the Department of Education (DepEd) in its goal to provide focused mental health care to students in public schools nationwide.
The Commission was among several agency signatories to the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act (RA 12080).
Under the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRE) of the law, the CSC is called upon to institutionalize new plantilla positions for school division counselors, school counselors, and school counselor associates in all public schools.
The CSC is also mandated to set the qualification requirements as well as the recruitment and appointment processes for these positions.
CSC Chairperson Marilyn Barua-Yap said the immediate objective is to ensure that qualified mental health professionals are deployed across Schools Division Offices (SDOs) and public schools to help address the growing need for counseling, crisis intervention, and mental health education in the basic education system.
“The CSC fully supports the integration of mental health services into the education system by providing a structured career path for mental health professionals. These new plantilla positions guarantee stability, proper training, and long-term government support for mental health initiatives in schools,” she explained.
Barua-Yap said the Commission will coordinate with the DepEd and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to facilitate the hiring and funding of these positions as a next level support for learners and educators.
She noted that the initiative is a milestone in public sector human resource development and underscores the government’s commitment to mental health, education, and public service excellence.
