FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 1 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
} 
Second Regular Session 
1 
SENATE 
S. 6. No. 3315. 
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR ALAN PETER “COMPANERO” S. CAYETANO 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
It is our duty as a people, and it should be the policy of every nation to protect the 
elderly in society. Protecting the elderly in Philippine society is considered a privilege 
and a duty. Usually, this practice is done within traditional support networks such as the 
extended family. 
However, current realities in the Philippines have began to challenge the capacity 
of traditional social structures such as family to provide the minimum basic needs for the 
elderly. Today, there are elderly in our community without any means of support and 
sustenance, living lives of quiet desperation. They may have been left without any 
family members to depend on. Many have been frowned upon by circumstances and 
have been left with no financial means. They may have been disabled by disease or 
accidents. Indigent, sick and alone, many of the elderly are weak and vulnerable as they 
stand today. 
It is in this light, that the State must not ignore the situation of the elderly. It must 
be at the forefront of providing greater collective and institutional support to augment the 
role of traditional support systems such as the family in the care of the elderly in society. 
Thus, the proposed measure seeks to protect and provide the welfare ben’efits 
that will ensure the basic health needs of our elderly. It mandates that all the elderly in 
need shall be entrusted in the care of the proper institution. Health needs and 
hospitalization support are also provided. 
The concept of social justice comes into play when there are those who are weak 
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
and cannot fend or provide for themselves wherein the State must step in and act. 
SEN. ALAN PETER “COMPANERO” S. CAYETANO 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE } 
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Second Regular Session 
1 
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INTRODUCED BY SENATOR ALAN PETER i
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s. CAYETANO 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR A SOCIAL JUSTICE AND WELFARE PROGRAM FOR 
THE PROTECTION AND CARE OF THE ELDERLY WITHOUT ANY 
IDENTIFIABLE FAMILY MEMBERS OR WITHOUT ANY MEANS .OF 
SUPPORT 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
Section 1. Short Title.- This Act shall be known as the “The Welfare and 
Protection Act for the Elderly of 2009. ’I 
Section 2. Declaration of Policy.- It is the declared policy of the State to protect 
the elderly in society. For this purpose, priority shall be given to promote the health and 
welfare of the elderly, especially those who are indigent, sickly and without family 
support. 
Section 3. Definition of Terms.- For purposes of this Act, the following terms 
are defined: 
a,) ”Home for the Aged” refers to any twenty-four hour residential care facility or 
center, whether public or private, duly accredited by the Department of Social 
Welfare and Development (DSWD), that provides shelter and care to five or more 
elderly, whether able-bodied or disabled; 
b.) “€/der/y” 
refers to any male or female, 60 years old and above, with no 
identifiable family member or without any means of support or sustenance; 
c.) “Hospitalization” refers to the event where the elderly necessitates medical 
care in a hospital, whether in-patient or out-patient. 


Section 4. Coverage.- All elderly, under the care of the home for the aged 
institutions, whether public or private, with a reputable track record in participating and 
contributing to the betterment of the elderly shall be covered by the provisions of this 
Act. 
Section 5. Mandatory Philhealth Enrolment.- The national government through 
the DSWD shall ensure that all elderly covered by this Act, are bona fide members of 
Philhealth. Philhealth premiums of such elderly shall be regularly paid by the national 
government through the DSWD. 
Section 6. Entrusting of Care to Centers.- All elderly, as defined in Section 
3(b) of this Act must be entrusted under the care and custody of recognized home for 
the aged institutions duly accredited by the DSWD. 
Section 7. Regular Checkups.- The home for the aged institution shall facilitate 
the monthly visits of medical personnel to the elderly centers to make sure that the 
health issues of the elderly are monitored and addressed properly. 
Section 8.- Hospitalization.- In the event that the hospitalization of the elderly 
is necessary to his or her health and well-being, the home for the aged institution must 
immediately attend to such need. The hospitalization bill of the elderly in a hospital shall 
be paid by the State through the DSWD. A special fund in the amount of 
P100,000,000.00 (One Hundred Million Pesos) shall be set aside annually by the 
DSWD for the payment of the hospitalization bills. 
Section 9.- Registration and Inspection.- The Secretary of DSWD shall cause 
the creation and maintenance of a register for all licensed home for the aged 
institutions. The Secretary shall also cause and order the inspection of the premises of 
the home for the aged institutions to ensure that a healthy environment is maintained for 
the elderly. 
Section I O .  Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Senate and the 
House, in consultation with the Department of Social Welfare and Development 
(DSWD), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Health 
(DOH), NGO's and other agencies deemed necessary to consult, shall issue the 
Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) within ninety (90) days after the approval of 
this Act. 


Section 11. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other 
provisions hereof. 
Section 12. Repealing Clause.- All laws, decrees, orders, issuances or portion 
thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or 
modified accordingly. 
Section 13. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,