Republic of the Philippines

House of Repr:
House of Repr

Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

4546

HOUSE BILL No.

Introduced b by HONORABLE El ERNESTO “ERNIX” M. DIONISIO, JR.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

We, as Filipinos, are known for being a close-knit community. Through generations
and generations, it is passed unto us the importance of family and how we Filipinos aid
and support our parents and other elderlies. We were taught at a young age the
importance of giving back to those who helped and aided us when we were the ones in
need or when we were still young and helpless.

Despite such, in reality, are those traits passed on to us still present or is it now a
thing of the past. Every day and almost everywhere you can see elderly people on the
streets begging or selling. Some you might see are sleeping or even living on the streets.

Currently, there are around 7 548,769 Filininos who are 60 years of age and over,
while there are 4,787,586 who are 65 years of age and over’. The number of elderlies in
our population is continuously growing and with that the number of homeless elderly
grows as well. As to the reason why there is a growing number of homeless elderly, there
are numerous possible reasons behind it. It might be because of poverty, problems in the
relationship among family members and many other more possible reasons.

As provided for by Section 4, Article XV of the 1987 Constitution’, it is the family
who has the duty to care for its elderly members but the State may also do so through
programs of social security. Further, Section 11, Article XIII of the Constitution’? states
that, the State shall endeavor to make essential goods, health and other social services

* Philippine Statistics Authority National QuickStat - August 2022. Available at
hitos://psa.aov.phistatistics/auickstat/national-uickstaV/all” (last accessed September 6, 2022).
2 Section 4, Article XV, 1987 Constitution.

3 Section 11, Article Xill, 1987 Constitution.


available to the public and that there shall be priority given to the underprivileged sick,
elderly, disabled woman, and children.

For this reason, immediate approval of this bill is necessary.

Congressman
First Congressional District of Manila


Ks
TS

Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 4946 _

Introduced by HONORABLE ERNESTO “ERNIX” M. DIONISIO, JR.

AN ACT

MANDATING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF NURSING HOMES FOR

THE ABANDONED, NEGLECTED, UNATTACHED OR HOMELESS
SENIOR CITIZENS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT

NO. 7432, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “AN ACT TO MAXIMIZE THE

CONTRIBUTION OF SENIOR CITIZENS TO NATION BUILDING,
GRANT BENEFITS AND SPECIAL PRIVILEGES AND FOR OTHER

PURPOSES,” AS AMENDED, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - it is hereby declared the policy of the State to
human person and guarantee full for human rights,

the right to health and safety of ts senior citizens, Towards this end, the State shall extend
assistance to neglected and homeless senior citizens by establishing nursing homes that
will provide shelter and assistance for this marginalized sector.

SEC. 3, Nursing Homes. - Section 5 of Republic Act No. 7432, otherwise known
as An Act to Maximize the Contribution of Senior Citizens to Nation Building, Grant

Benefits, and Special Privileges and for Other Purposes” as amended, is hereby
amended to read as follows:

“SEC. 5. Government Assistance. - The government shall provide
the following:


(d) Social Services

At least fifty percent (50%) discount shall be granted on the
consumption of electricity, water, and telephone by the senior citizens
center and residential care/graup homes that are government-run or non-
stock, non-profit domestic corporation organized and operated primarily
for the purpose of promoting the well-being of abandoned, neglected,
unattached, or homeless senior citizens, subject to the guidelines

formulated by the DSWD.

IN ADDITION, THESE RESIDENTIAL CARE, GROUP HOMES
OR NURSING HOMES SHALL BE EXEMPTED FROM THE PAYMENT
OF CUSTOMS DUTIES, TAXES, AND TARIFFS ON THE PURCHASE
AND IMPORTATION OF EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES USED
ACTUALLY, DIRECTLY, AND EXCLUSIVELY BY THE NURSING HOME
PURSUANT TO THIS ACT, INCLUDING THOSE DONATED TO THEM.
ALL DONATIONS MADE TO THESE FACILITIES SHALL ALSO BE
EXEMPT FROM DONOR'S TAXES, AND SHALL BE ALLOWED AS A
DEDUCTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE NATIONAL INTERNAL
REVENUE CODE, AS AMENDED. THESE NURSING HOMES SHALL
LIKEWISE BE EXEMPT FROM PAYMENT OF LOCAL BUSINESS
TAXES.

XXX

(4) “substitute family care” in the form of residential care, [01
homes or NURSING HOMES for the abandoned, neglected, unattached
or homeless senior citizens and those incapable of self-care: PROVIDED,
THAT THERE SHALL BE AT LEAST ONE (1) RESIDENTIAL CARE,
GROUP HOME OR NURSING HOME IN EVERY PROVINCE AND
HIGHLY URBANIZED CITIES; PROVIDED, FURTHER. THAT IN
ADDITION TO PROVIDING A COMFORTABLE AND SAFE LIVING
QUARTERS, THE SERVICES THAT THESE ESTABLISHMENTS
SHALL OFFER SHALL INCLUDE:

(i) ADEQUATE AND NUTRITIOUS FOOD;

(ii) CLOTHING;

(iii) MEDICAL AND HEALTH CARE SERVICES;

(iv) COUNSELING;

(V) FAMILY OUTREACH, RECONCILIATION, AND DIALOGUE;

(Vi) LITERACY AND OTHER VOCATIONAL OR LIVELIHOOD

TRAINING; AND

(vii) RELIGIOUS, CULTURAL AND VOCATIONAL ACTIVITIES;

PROVIDED, FINALLY, THAT THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT
UNITS (LGUS), THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND
DEVELOPMENT (DSWD), NATIONAL COMMISSION OF SENIOR


CITIZENS, AND OTHER APPROPRIATE AGENCIES SHALL
COORDINATE AMONG EACH OTHER FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT,
MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF THESE FACILITIES.

the Transfer. - With the assistance of the different sectors

of the local government unit, for efficiency and convenience, they are requested to assist
in the transportation of homeless elderly people to be brought to nursing homes.

SEC. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days the
effectivity of this Act. the DSWD, in coordination with the Department of Interior and Local
Government (DILG), the Department of Health (DOH), the National Commission of Senior
Citizens, the Federation of Senior Citizens Associations of the Philippines, and other
appropriate government agencies, the Confederation of Older Persons Associations of
the Philippines, and other concerned stakeholders, shall issue the rules and regulations
to effectively implement the provisions this Act.

SEC. 6. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of
this Act shall be included in the General Appropriations Act of the year following its
enactment into law and every year thereafter.

SEC. 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or
unconstitutional, the provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. - AW laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
presidential proclamations, rules and regulations or parts thereof contrary to or
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation