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Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 2022 
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE MILAGROS AQUINO – MAGSAYSAY 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill seeks to promote the establishment of institutionalized retirement villages and 
communities for senior citizens or older persons for long-term and multi-disciplinary care and 
support services and providing for resources to support and sustain said programs.  
In 1985, then-President Ferdinand E. Marcos issued Executive Order No. 1037 creating the 
Philippine Retirement Park System, the predecessor of the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA), 
to promote the Philippines as a retirement haven and to attract foreign investment in the country. 
Through this non-conventional program that offer attractive retirement packages for foreigners 
and overseas Filipino workers, it aimed to intensify the inflow of foreign exchange to the country. 
In 2001, then-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo issued Executive Order No. 26, transferring the 
supervision and control of the now-renamed Philippine Retirement Authority from the Office of 
the President, to the Board of Investments (BOI) under the Department of Trade and Industry 
(DTI).  
Eventually in 2009, Republic Act No. 9593, otherwise known as the Tourism Act of 2009, 
was passed and now made PRA an attached agency of the Department of Tourism (DOT). It was 
still mandated to develop and promote the Philippines as a retirement haven as a means of 
accelerating economic development of the country and strengthening our foreign exchange 
position through attractive “best quality of life” retirement packages.  
While there are now several so-called “retirement homes” in operation around the 
Philippines, these are mostly privately-run, for-profit assisted-living, home care or nursing homes 
with 24-hour care residential facilities. On the other hand, those being offered by the PRA as 
residential facilities for retirees are leasehold or condominium properties for independent living. 
The idea of a true “retirement village scheme” as a community or residential complex, with 
available support services such as accessible transportation to get around, essential facilities such 
as groceries and supermarkets, drugstores or pharmacies, medical or health services facilities, and 
even recreation or entertainment venues. has not been achieved.    
July 16, 2025
3:31 pm


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Alongside the rapid growth of the older population are the increasing cases of abandonment 
and homelessness, as well as rise in their special needs such as health care, housing, income 
security and other social services. While Filipino culture, and even the 1987 Constitution, dictates 
we care for our elderly, and it is the family which has the primary responsibility to do so, it is 
incumbent upon the State to provide additional resources and support. We must recognize the need 
for urgent action on the lack or scarcity of available infrastructure for elderly care, such as proper 
facilities and safe and secure environments able to address long-term care needs of the senior 
citizens. Under the residential village scheme, paying retirees or investing foreign nationals and 
overseas Filipinos, may be able to subsidize underprivileged locals who are abandoned, homeless 
or neglected elderly. 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly recommended. 
MILAGROS AQUINO-MAGSAYSAY 


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Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 2022 
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE MILAGROS AQUINO – MAGSAYSAY 
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF RETIREMENT  
VILLAGES OR COMMUNITIES, AND PROVIDING INCENTIVES THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
Assembled 
SECTION 1. Short Title – This Act shall be known as the “Retirement Village Act of 2025”. 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy – It shall be the declared policy of the State to protect and 
promote the health and well-being of Filipino senior citizens, and ensure a decent and dignified 
standard of living and quality of life by providing a comprehensive and holistic healthcare and 
welfare system, with accessible programs and affordable services. 
SECTION 3. Scope and Coverage – Established retirement villages shall be open and accessible 
to all retirees, foreign or Filipino senior citizens, who are in need of and wish to avail of the 
programs and services in retirement villages or communities, particularly residential and housing, 
specialized assisted-living support and care. This may extend to eligible and qualified abandoned, 
neglected, or homeless senior citizens because their families are unable to meet or provide for their 
special needs. 
SECTION 4. Definition of Terms – The following terms used in this Act are defined as 
follows: 
a) Senior Citizens Nursing Homes – refers to group homes or facilities that provide skilled
and specialized care for senior citizens, 24 hours a day, seven (7) days a week; these will
include RESIDENTIAL CARE SERVICES (RCS) provided by current group homes as
long term or temporary multi-disciplinary care to senior citizens who are abandoned by
their families or with no significant others to provide the needed supervision and supportive
care. The services that will be provided Include social services, health & medical services,
psychological services, skills training, group work activities, dietary services, homelife
/group-living services, spiritual services (I.e. religious services, masses, confession, bible
studies) and provision of assistive devices);


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b) Government-Run Residential Care Facilities and Group Homes - Pursuant to 
Executive Order No. 105, Series of 2004 the DSWD shall continue to operate and maintain 
Group Homes/Foster Home for Neglected, Abandoned, Abused, Unattached and Poor 
Older Persons and Persons with Disabilities. This includes Residential Care Services 
(RCS) at 24-hour facilities that provide long term or temporary multi-disciplinary care to 
senior citizens who are abandoned by their families or with no significant others to provide 
the needed supervision and supportive care. The services that will be provided Includes 
social services, health & medical services, psychological services, skills training, group 
work activities, dietary services, home-llfe/group living services, spiritual services (i.e., 
religious services, masses, confession, bible studies and etc.) and provision of assistive 
devices; 
 
c) Privately-Run Residential Care Facilities and Group Homes - Non-Government 
Organizations (NGOs), religious or charitable institutions, or for-profit business 
enterprises may also establish and operate residential facilities and group homes to provide 
temporary shelter or long-term residential care for seniors suffering from dementia or 
Alzheimer’s disease, or some life-threatening or terminal illness, needing assisted daily-
living (ADLs), or palliative or hospice care; 
 
d) Retirement Homes/Villages – Housing or residential facilities for retirees or elderly who 
are not frail or dependent on others, and can generally still live independently without need 
of assistance for daily living such as bathing, dressing or cooking.  
 
SECTION 5. RETIREMENT VILLAGE SCHEME – Refers to a housing system or residential 
complex established primarily for retirees and their elderly spouses or partners, who are still 
capable and choose to live independently. The residences are either occupied by lease or license, 
or the right of occupation may be conferred by ownership of shares, or even an actual purchase 
from an administering authority, subject to a right or option of repurchase and other conditions 
and limitations restricting subsequent disposal. Residents-occupants may be charged an upfront 
capital sum and subsequent regular annual or monthly fees for their right to live in the village. The 
terms and conditions of their occupancy are set out in a retirement village contract called an 
“occupation right agreement”. As such, retirement villages or communities are technically funded 
by their own residents or occupants. 
 
SECTION 6.  RETIREMENT VILLAGES/COMMUNITIES - Refers to residential housing 
complexes predominantly for retirees, which have multiple residential units such as villas, 
apartments, or studio units, and provide services and shared facilities. Retirement Villages offer a 
range of health, leisure, and support services. These include access to medical facilities, including 
visiting doctors or allied health professionals, as well as recreational facilities and community halls 
for socialization. 
 
SECTION 7.  RIGHTS OF RESIDENTS – Residents shall be conferred rights, the minimum of 
which, pertains to entitlement to services and other benefits, relevant information, consultation and 
dialogue with the Village Operator, to be treated with respect and courtesy, have a support person 


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or authorized representative, availability and access to a grievance machinery or complaints 
mechanism, and not to be exploited. 
 
SECTION 8. REGISTRATION AND ACCREDITATION – All Retirement Villages and 
Communities shall register and be accredited by relevant government agencies like the Department 
of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and the Philippine Retirement 
Authority (PRA). The DHSUD shall regulate the establishment and operation of all retirement 
villages and communities, similar to subdivisions and condominium ownership, and provide for a 
system of monitoring of payments, contributions, entitlements, costs and charges, including 
mechanisms like Residents’ Associations or Committees. 
 
Foreign investors who went through the PRA program to develop and maintain Retirement 
Villages and Communities for foreign retirees or Filipino overseas workers, and local senior 
citizens, shall enjoy the benefit of PRA’s assistance.  
  
SECTION 9. Mandatory Compliance with Standards – Like similar residential facilities and 
nursing homes, retirement homes and villages catering to retirees and senior citizens shall abide 
by the DSWD-mandated regulatory and accreditation standards for its facilities, comply with 
Accessibility Law or Batas Pambansa (BP) No. 344 requirements, and anti-elder abuse policies. 
For health facilities providing medical services within the Village or Community, appropriate 
registration or accreditation with the Department of Health (DOH) shall likewise apply. 
 
In addition, Filipino residents with dual citizenship living in these facilities shall continue to be 
entitled to their individual benefits granted under RA 9994 and RA 10645 on voluntary PhilHealth 
coverage.  
 
SECTION 10. Donations to Retirement Villages/Communities - The Retirement Villages or 
Communities are hereby authorized to receive and be beneficiaries of donations, grants, 
contributions, gifts or endowments from all sources whether foreign or domestic, and whether 
government or private, without the need of securing a permit, approval or registration from any 
government agency. 
Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, all donations, contributions, endowments 
and equipment and supplies to be imported by authorized entities or persons for the actual use and 
benefit of the Retirement Home, shall be exempt from donor’s and gift taxes, the same further 
deductible in full for the purpose of determining the maximum deductible amount under Section 
30, paragraph (h), of the National Internal Revenue Code, as amended. 
 
SECTION 11. Tax Exemptions – Retirement Villages or Communities established under this Act 
may be declared exempt from relevant real property, internal revenue taxes, tariff and customs 
duties and all other kinds of taxes, fees, charges and assessments levied by the Government and 
its political subdivisions, agencies and instrumentalities. 
 
As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and its applicable incentives, private, 
commercial for-profit Retirement Villages and Communities, shall provide for a socialized 
housing facility for underprivileged, less financially-able retirees. In the alternative, these private, 


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commercial Retirement Villages/Communities may choose to support a government-run 
residential facility or group home for abandoned, neglected, and homeless senior citizens. 
SECTION 12. Utility Discount – As provided for under Republic Act No. 9994, accredited and 
licensed senior citizens facilities exclusively used by the elderly, may be entitled to utility 
discounts on electricity consumption and water services as individual household units. 
 
SECTION 13. Implementing Rules and Regulations - Within ninety (90) days or three (3) 
months from the approval of this Act, the Department of Human Settlements  and Urban 
Development, the National Housing Authority (NHA), the Philippine Retirement Authority, the 
Department of Tourism, the Department of Health (DOH), the Department of Social Welfare and 
Development (DSWD), the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the 
National Commission on Senior Citizens (NCSC), shall formulate and promulgate the rules and 
regulations necessary for the effective implementation of this Act.  
 
SECTION 14. Separability Clause – If any portion or provision of this Act is declared invalid or 
unconstitutional, other provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.  
 
SECTION 15. Repealing Clause – All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules or regulations 
contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified 
accordingly. 
 
SECTION 16. Effectivity – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication in the 
Official Gazette or in newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved