Pasig LGU and Ateneo IPC formalize partnership for digital mental health registry

The City Government of Pasig and the Institute of Philippine Culture (IPC) of Ateneo de Manila University’s Dr Rosita G Leong School of Social Sciences (RGLSOSS) formalized their renewed partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing ceremony held on 4 December 2025 at the People’s Reception Hall in the Temporary Pasig City Hall.

The MOU sealed the partnership between Pasig City and Ateneo IPC for the former's Electronic Mental Health Program Registry for Universal Health Care (eMHPRe UHC) project funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and monitored by the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD). Principal signatories for the document were Fr Roberto C Yap SJ, President of Ateneo de Manila University; and Hon Victor Ma. Regis N Sotto, Mayor of Pasig City. Witnesses included Dr Jaime C Montoya, Executive Director of DOST-PCHRD; Dr Joseph R Panaligan, City Health Officer of Pasig City; Dr Enrique Niño P Leviste, Director of Ateneo IPC; and Mr Lloyd Cameron, Political Counsellor for Economic and Climate of the British Embassy Manila (BEM).

The eMHPRe UHC project aims to conduct a policy and program review to include systems analysis of the MNS Program reporting system and to develop a prototype for an electronic recording and reporting system for Mental, Neurological, and Substance Abuse (MNS) programs and pilot test its utilization. The resulting prototype will then be integrated as a new module of the Multi-Programme Local Mapping Tool (MuPLoMT) for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) already used in Pasig City, which was developed with the support of the BEM in 2020.

The event commenced with opening remarks from Dr Batangan, who provided context and shared project updates, including plans for the coming year. He also highlighted the ongoing development of a new policy for a Safe Data Environment and Exchange, featuring a de- and re-identification module to ensure the privacy of patients under the MNS program.

Dr Leviste delivered the message of support from Fr Yap, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and collaboration in the digital age. The message expressed optimism regarding the continued partnership between Ateneo and Pasig City to optimize data management and improve healthcare for Pasigueños.

Mayor Sotto equally affirmed his support for the partnership, referencing successful collaborations like the Multi-Programme Local Mapping Tool (MuPLoMT), the eTriage for Social Inclusion: Navigating Out of Vulnerability Situations (eTSI NOVuS), and the Smarter and Integrated Local Health Information System (SMILHIS) projects. While acknowledging progress in Universal Healthcare (UHC) implementation, the Mayor stressed the need for a holistic approach to healthcare, prioritising mental health. Following these messages, the program concluded with the ceremonial signing of the MOU and a photo opportunity.

The brief ceremony successfully brought together representatives from the national and local government, academia, and the diplomatic community to affirm their shared commitment to building robust, data-driven health systems. Such collaborations are vital not only for improving general health services but, crucially, for elevating the overall well-being of Filipinos by prioritising their mental health, which is also essential to achieve inclusive and sustainable development in the country.