EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session
)
)
)
SENATE 
S.B. No. 2086
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS
FILED
TtME
NDEX
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE GERIATRIC CENTER UNDER THE 
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
In 2021, older people in the Philippines will exceed 10 m'lllon for the first time, 
according to the Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM)1.
The country Is projected to transition to an aging population between 2025 to 
20302. The Increasing number of older people will have implications for their pensions 
and their overall health.
t
To date, more than half or 55% of our senior citizens have no pension, 23% receive 
a pension from the private sector, 6% receive a pension from the government, and 16% 
receive a social pension of only P5003.
Furthermore, the Department of Health (DOH) reported geriatric wards' 
unavailability and a shortage of geriatricians4.
Most of our aging population have little to no financial means, making the highly 
specialized field of geriatric medical and long-term care even more out of reach. Thus, a 
need for accessible and quality health care for older people to respond to their health and 
medical conditions, risks, and vulnerabilities.
> Projections by POPCOM on the Number of Rllpinos In 2021, available ab https://popoom.gov.ph/7paM70 
2 Philippine Statistics Auttwilty, Provision of Care for Rllpino Older Persons and Responding to the Needs of Aging 
Societies, Feb. 2019, available at:
https://www.un.ocg/ei\/deveiopmert/desa/populatioiVevents/pdf/expert/29/sesslon8|/E6M_26Feb2019J58JPIeneeGra
oeXMino.pi^.
2 Senate Committfie Hearing on the National Commission of Senior Qttzens Act, Jan. 2019 
4 DOH - Health Facility Development Bureau, Research and Performance Management Division, Oct 2019, available
https://psa.gov.ph/sites/defeult/fUes/8.3.1%20Profile%20o<%20Geflatrlc%20Warrfs%20and%20Accessibillty%20of%
20Health%20Sendces%20for%20SenlO(%20Citizens.pdf
1


Tb this end, the bill seeks to establish and Institutionalize a national center for 
geriatric health, a specialty hospital under the DOH, that will cater to older people's needs.
The geriatric center Is envisioned to provide a full range of health care services to 
ensure our aging population's quality of life, become an end-referral center for all geriatric 
healthcare providers, and to stimulate research and training in geriatric health service.
It Is our ardent hope that the establishment and Institutionalization of the national 
center for geriatric health will contribute to addressing the vulnerabilities and burden of 
disease among our aging population.
Lastly, the bill is In remembrance of our elderlies who died due to CX)VID-195/ 
especially to our colleague in the House of Representatives, this IS®1 Congress, Senior 
Qtizens Partylist Rep. Francisco G. Datol, Jr.6
As such, the Immediate passage of this bill Is earnestly sought
lOimVERi 
Senator
S WHO; Ekteriy Comprise Most of OOVID-19 Deaths In PHL, https://www.onenews,ph/wtx>-€klef1vKX)mpftee-most-</-
covid-19Kieaths-ln-phl-publlc-inat1(etsK)ther«ouroes^-new-transinission-ldentifled
* Senior Citizens lawmaker Frandsoo Datol Jrv dies of OOVID-19, https.7/www.rappler.oonVnatiori/senlorcltizens-
lawmakers-frandsco-datol-jMiles


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session
SENATE 
S.B. No. 2086
DATE
TIME
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE GERIATRIC CENTER UNDER 
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
THE
Be It enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines In Congress 
assembled:
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Section 1. Short We. - This Act shall be known as the "Philippine Geriatric Center
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Act of 2021".
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Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy.—It Is hereby declared a policy of the State to protect
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and promote the right to health of the Rllpino people and to Instill health consciousness
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among them.
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Towards this end, the State shall adopt an Integrated and comprehensive approach to
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health development It shall ensure that quality health services are available and
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accessible to them by establishing a specialized hospital that will cater to their medical
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and health needs.
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Sec. 3. Philippine Geriatric Center. - The National Center for Geriatric Health
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(NCGH), located In San Miguel, Manila, Is hereby renamed as the Philippine Geriatric
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Center (PGC) and established as a tertiary specialty hospital under the direct control and
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supervision of the Department of Health to ensure healthcare and quality of life of our
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older and ageing population.
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The existing hospital development plan, current bed capacity and service capabilities,
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including organizational structure and staffing requirements, shall be updated and
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upgraded consistent with the given mandate under this Act
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Sec. 4. Purposes and Objectives. - The PGC shall have the following purposes and
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objectives:
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a) Equip, maintain, administer and operate an integrated medical Institution
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which shall specialize in geriatric health services;


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b) Promote medical services to the elderly and sdentlflc research/database 
relative to the prevention# diagnosis# treatment# care# rehabilitation and 
relief of disease of older people and aging population;
c) Provide education and training of physicians# nurses# officers# sodal 
workers# barangay health workers# and other medical and technical 
personnel In the practice and scientific implementation of health services to 
older people and aging population; and
d) Coordinate the various efforts and activities of other government agencies 
and local government units for the purpose of achieving a comprehensive 
and Integrated approach to geriatric health and healthcare service delivery.
Sec. 5. Referral System. - The PGC shall be the National Specialty Referral Center
12 for all private and government facilities for specialized geriatric care.
Sec. 6. Appropriations. - An amount of One Hundred Million Pesos (PhP 
100#000#000.00) shall be appropriated for the establishment and Initial operations of the 
PGC
Furthermore# the Secretary of Health shall immediately Include In the Department’s 
program the Implementation of this Act# the funding of which shall be included In the 
subsequent Annual General Appropriations Act
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Thereafter, the amount necessary for the continued operation of the hospital# upgrading#
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and expansion of services shall be included In the annual General Appropriations Act 
Sec. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of Health shall# In
consultation and coordination with appropriate government agencies# such as 
Department of Budget and Management (DBM)# Civil Service Commission (CSQ# National 
commission on Senior Qtlzens (NCSC)# Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)# Non- 
Govemment Organizations (NGOs)# and other stakeholders# within ninety (90) days from 
the effecdvlty of this Act, promulgate the Implementing Rules and Regulations for the 
effective and efficient Implementation of the provisions of this Act
Sec. 8. Separability Cause. - If any provision of this Act is held Invalid or 
unconstitutional# the same shall not affect the validity and effecdvlty of the other 
provisions hereof.
Sec. 9. Repealing Cause. — All existing laws# decrees# executive orders# rules and 
regulations# or parts thereof which are Inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed# 
amended or modified accordingly.
Sec. 10. BfectMty Cause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after Its 
publication in the Official Gazette or In two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,