Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
19th CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
HOUSEBILLNo.       9950
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Introduced by HONORABLE MILAGROS AQUINO-MAGSAYSAY
AN ACT ESTABLISHING AND INSTITUTIONALIZING A
LONG-TERM CARE POLICY FOR SENIOR CITIZENS, CONSOLIDATING
ALL EXISTING ELDERLY PROGRAMS AND SERVICES, AND
PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFORE
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This bill seeks to establish and institutionalize a Long-Term Care Policy for senior
citizens,   consolidating  all  relevant  and  existing  elderly  programs  and  services,   and
providing for resources to support and sustain said programs.
The  rapidly  increasing  absolute  number of Filipino senior citizens  is attributed to
its declining  mortality  rate  and  increasing  life expectancy.  The  number of Filipinos that
are  turning  60  years  old  and  above,  is  one  of the  largest  in  the  Asia  Pacific  Region
Population  Reference  Bureau,  although we are  not yet considered  an  "ageing" society
considering our matching high fertility rate.
The    Asian     Development     Bank's     (ADB)     report    showed    that    in    Asia,
people     over     65     comprise     only     about     5.5%     of     the     total     population     of
developing Asia. This percentage is expected to rise gradually to 7.2% by 2015 as fertility
rates fall and life expectancy increases." At present, older people in Asia reside primarily
in  rural areas,  but with urbanization trends the percentage of older people  living  in  rural
areas is expected to decrease. Moreover, the decrease in the percentage of older persons
living in extended families will leave more elderly living alone, thus, forcing them to look
for assistance for housing and living standards from governments and NGOs.
\/Vhile it is generally acknowledged that an ageing population is a positive outcome
of combined social, economic and health advances, the resulting physiological, social and
financial changes that older persons' experience, they may require assistance from time
to time to regain a sense of well-being.  Events like demise of a spouse,  retirement from


work  and  onset  of  related  illnesses  may  put  older  persons  through  brief  periods  of
distress.  External  support or help  maybe  needed  by  some to  bring  relief and  expedite
adjustment.     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.
It has likewise been noted that ageing is a great equalizer, and rich or poor, older
persons  or senior citizens  suffer the  same  consequences of declining  health,  physical
impairment, and diminished financial capacity. The 2007 Philippine Longitudinal Study on
Ageing (PLSOA) conducted by the University of the Philippines Population Institute(Uppl)
provided some revealing insights into the country's elderly population, highlighting two (2)
important aspects of ageing - health  and economic status, which  are  both deemed to
decline as the years progress. This is evident in the increased incidence of chronic and
degenerative  diseases,  and  retirement  from  employment which  drastically  affects  the
financial capacity of many seniors. Even with retirement or pension benefits (which prove
to be meager compared to expenses), the lack of a regular source of income results in
great economic  instability.  Some  basic  needs  like  housing,  food,  and  clothing  remain,
while there is rapidly increasing health-related expenditure. \/Vith cash flow fixed, or even
greatly reduced,  senior citizens may experience an  increase in  medical expenses such
as the requirement for maintenance medicines, regular laboratory tests or check-ups, and
even frequent hospitalization or medical treatment such as dialysis.
The Social Protection framework to which the Philippines subscribes requires the
development  of policies  and  programs which  shall  reduce  poverty  and  vulnerability  to
risks,  and  enhance the social  status  and  rights  of marginalized  sectors  like the senior
citizens,  including  protecting against the sudden  loss of income and  improving  capacity
to  manage  risks.  The  National  Coordinating  and  Statistical  Board  Poverty  Statistics
for      the       Basic       Sector       (2006)       registered       that      the       highest       poverty
incidence    of    senior    citizens    is    46.050/o     in    Autonomous     Region    for    Muslim
Mindanao,      Region      lx      and      Cordillera      Autonomous      Region.      The      senior
citizens   sector   ranked   seventh   among   the   basic   sectors   which   has   the   highest
poverty incidence and magnitude of poor.
Thus,     an     integrated     and     a     more     comprehensive     long-term     national
approach  to  ensure  the  protection  of  the  rights  and  welfare  of  older  persons  and
provide      them      with      adequate      health,       rehabilitative      and      socio-economic
services  must  be  formulated.  More  responsive  interventions  are  necessary  to  directly
address    the    needs    of   the    poorest    and    to    prevent    members    of   vulnerable
groups  like the elderly from falling  into poverty following community-wide or household-
specific     shocks.     The     government     has     recognized     the     need     for     urgent
action     on     challenges     related     to     ageing,     specifically    those     addressing     the
developmental      and      long-term      care      needs      of     the      senior     citizens      and
ensuring productive and active ageing.


The     Department     of     Social     Welfare     and     Development     (DSWD),     as
the    lead    agency    in    promoting    the   welfare    of   the    senior   citizens    developed
a     comprehensive     Long-Term     Care     Program     for     Senior     Citizen     (LTCSC).
The DSWD LTCSC was supposed to serve as the "blueprint" of the government to ensure
the   development   of   a   milieu   that   would    meet   the   present   and   future   needs
of   the    growing    number    of    senior    citizens    in    terms    of    human    development
and    service    delivery.    It    ls    an    Integration    of   devolved    and    new    services    in
one     document     (DSWD     LTCSC)     aimed     at    ensuring     efficient    and     effective
implementation       of      the       program       and       national       uniformity       of      activities
towards  the  promotion  of  active  ageing.   However,  this  document  is  only  a  general
guideline for the direct implementers' working for the Provincial, City and Municipal Social
Welfare  and  Development  Offices  (P/C/MSWDO)  as  well  as  for  social  workers  and
development workers working in social welfare development agency, non-governmental
organizations  (NGOs)  and  people's  organization  (POs)  in   implementing  community-
based  and  residential-based  services  for the  senior  citizens.  The  DSWD  LTCSC  has
never been  institutionalized  as a  national  policy contained  in an  enacted  law entitled to
an annual budgetary allocation, hence the necessity for this legislative measure.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly recommended.


Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila
Nineteenth Congress
Second Regular Session
HOusE BILL NO.9rm
Introduced by Representative Mi]agros AquinolMagsaysay
AN ACT ESTABLISHING AND INSTITUTloNALIZING A
LONG-TERM CARE POLICY FOR SENIOR CITIZENS, CONSOLIDATING
ALL EXISTING ELDERLY PROGRAMS AND SERVICES, AND
PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFORE
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  "MATATANDA  ATING
MAHALIN Act of 2024".
SECTloN 2. Declaration of Policy -lt 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.
The 1987 Constitution, Article 11, Section lx,  mandates:  "The Sfafe sha// promote a/.usf and
dynamic social order that will ensure the prosperity and independence of the nation and free
the people from poverty through policies that provide adequate social services, promote full
employment,  a  ris.Ing  standard  of living,  and  an  improved quality  of life for all."  ln eddifiion,
ATtiiale 11, Sechon X dec:faTes.. ``The State shall promote social justice in all phases of national
development." MorecNer, Ahiicte Xlll , Sectiion Xl comm.its.. " The State shall adopt an integrated
and comprehensive approach to health development which shall endeavor to make essential
goods,  health and other social services available to all the people at affordable cost. There
shall  be  priority  for the  needs  of the  underprivileged  sick,  elderly,  disabled,  women  and
children. More .impor\anfty , Ahiicle Sectiion IV prov.ides.. "The family has the duty to care for its
elderly members, but the State may also do so through just programs of social security."


Consistent with  the  above-mentioned  Constitutional  mandates,  the  foregoing  policies  and
principles shall form part of the declared policies of this Act:
a)   To  extend  support  to  our  senior  citizens  by  providing  monetary  resources  of  the
government to aid them towards a sustainable and decent living;
b)   To strengthen our shared duty in the promotion of basic Filipino values of caring for
elderly people;
c)   To  further  cultivate  filial  piety  as  a  basic  component  of  kinship  and  camaraderie
between and amongst our people; and
d)   To ensure access to and availability of government programs and services for senior
citizens
SECTION 3. Purpose and Objectives - ln consonance with the foregoing policies, this Act
institutionalizing a Long-Term Care Policy for Filipino senior citizens aims to:
a)   Promote  the  protection  of  the  rights,   dignity  and   independence  of  senior
citizens    by    establishing    enabling    environments    and    supportive    care
for senior citizens;
b)   Formulate  programs  and  systems that will  ensure  propriety  and  uniformity  in  its
implementation,   through   a  comprehensive   and   inclusive   approach  to  senior
citizens care and development;
c)   Con figure existing processes and procedures that will help provide orderly conduct
of activities between and among senior citizens and their availment of benefits and
privileges;
d)   Establish norms and customs that will contribute to the development of a just and
humane society that recognizes and gives value to the contributions and sacrifices
of our senior citizens in and for our communities; and
e)   Maximize the availment of and actual enjoyment by senior citizens of government
programs and services intended to support and assist them.
SECTION 4, Definition of Terms -The following terms used in this Act are defined as
follows:
a)   SENIOR CITIZEN -refers to any resident citizen of the Philippines, who is at least
sixty (60) years old of age, as defined in Republic Act No. 9994;
b)   DEPENDENT SENIOR CITIZEN -a senior citizen needing support and assistance
in   daily   living,   in   terms   of  self-care,   health   or   medical   needs,   mobility   and
movement;
c)   LONG-TERM CARE -  refers to a sustained provision of comprehensive programs
and services to senior citizens with the view of enabling them to have dignified,
healthy and secured lives. This may include a variety of services which help meet


both   the   medical   and   non-medical   needs   of  elderly   people   with   a chronic
illness or disability  who  cannot  care  for themselves  for  long  periods.  but  these
individualized  and  coordinated  services  still  aim  to  promote  independence  and
maximize patients' quality of life, and meet patients' needs over a period of time.
Long-term   care   can   be   provided   at   home,   in   the   community,   inassisted
living facilities or in nursing homes through custodial and non-skilled care, such as
assisting  with  activities  of  daily  living.  Facilities  that  offer  formal  LTC  services
typically provide  living accommodation for people who  require on-site delivery of
around-the-clock supervised care, including professional health services, personal
care, and services such as meals, laundry and housekeeping;
d)   PALLIATIVE  CARE - refers to  specialized  medical  care for people  living  with  a
serious, life-limiting illness as a means of supportive care to improve the quality of
life  of the  patient,  ensuring  their  health,  dignity,  and  security.  It  is  focused  on
providing  relief  and  comfort  from  the  stress  and  symptoms  of  the  serious  or
complex illness, and may involve physical, psychological, and educational support
for both the patient and their family;
e)   HOSPICE CARE -refers to an integrative "end-of-life" care for people diagnosed
with terminal illness and with a prognosis of six (6) months or less. The approach
covers  a  range  of services to  improve the quality  of life  and  provide  relief from
suffering  from  life-threatening,  progressively  debilitating  illness  which  is  beyond
the benefit of any curative or definitive treatment, regardless of life expectancy;
f)    RESIDENTIAL CARE SERVICES (RCS) -ls a 24-hour facility that provides 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,  homellfe  /group-living  services,  spiritual  services  (I.e.  religious
services, masses, confession, bible studies) and provision of assistive devices;
g)   COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES -refers to the programs and services rendered
when  the  helping  process  takes  place  in  the  community  as  the  primary  client
system,   or  when   social  welfare  and  development  activities  are  provided  to
individuals, groups and families while they remain in their own homes;
h)  SENIOR  CITIZENS  CENTER  -  this  is  a  day  center  facility  with   recreationa[,
educational,  health  and  socio-cultural  programs  designed  for the full  enjoyment
and benefit of the senior citizens in the city or municipality.  It shall also serve as a
facility for the provision of community -based educational services;


i)    HOME CARE SUPPORT SERVICE -this pertains to services provided to senior
citizens while in their homes such  as assisting senior citizens in their daily living
activities (e.g.  bathing, eating, dressing); training volunteers and family members
on caregiving for senior citizens; provision of assistive devices for senior citizens:
and community-based rehabilitative activities.
SECTION  5.  Scope and  Coverage - The target beneficiaries of this Act are  resident
Filipino citizens, 60 years old and above, who may have the following characteristics:
I   Poor  senior  citizens   who   are   deprived   of,   or   lack  the   essentials   for  a
minimum   standard   of   well-being/living.   These   essentials   may   be   material
resources  such   as  food,   safe  drinking  water,   and   shelter.   There   may  also
be    lack   of   social   resources   such   as   access   to   information,   education,
health    care    or   the    opportunity    to    develop    meaningful    connections   with
other people in society;
I  Senior citizens who are victims of natural and man-made disasters;
I  Senior  citizens  who  are  abandoned,   neglected  and/or  victims  of  physical,
mental, psychological, sexual, verbal and economic abuse.
I Frail/disabled/ demented senior citizens in need of palliative or hospice care who
are totally dependent on others for their Activity of Daily Living (ADL); and
I Senior citizens in residential centers, group homes, temporary shelter, whether
run by government, NGOs or LGUs.
SECTION  6.  LONG  TERM  CARE  POLICY -  ln  accordance  with  the  country's  Social
Protection framework anchored on social welfare services, social insurance, labor market
and  social safety nets aimed  at reducing  poverty,  inequality,  and vulnerability,  a  Long-
Term Care policy for senior citizens is hereby institutionalized to harness and consolidate
all relevant government programs, services, and projects for the Filipino elderly.
Appropriate government agencies and stakeholders shall endeavor to ensure a sustained
provision  of comprehensive  programs  and  services  to  senior citizens with  the view  of
enabling them to have dignified, healthy and secured lives. This may include a wide range
of programs and services which help meet medical, financial and social needs of elderly
people  through  coordinated  services  that  still  promote  independence  and  a  dignified
quality of life.


SOCIAL PROTECTION
SECTION 7. LONG-TERM CARE UNDER THE LABOR MARKET -Ageing workers or
older persons still in the workforce shall continue to be protected against discrimination
as   provided   under   Republic   Act   No.    10911,   otherwise   known   as   the   "Anti-Age
Discrimination  in  Employment Act"  ("Act"), which was signed  into law to  promote equal
opportunities in employment for everyone.  Employers are enjoined to hire individuals on
the basis of their abilities, knowledge, skills, and qualifications, rather than their age.  For
this purpose, it is hereby reiterated that RA 10911 's prohibition on arbitrary age limitations
in employment continues to apply, while encouraging more efforts on advancing the rights
of  all  employees  and  workers,  regardless  of  age,  to  be  treated  equally  in  terms  of
compensation, benefits, promotion, training, and other employment opportunities.
A wholistic and  integrated  provision of services,  including opportunities for employment
and livelihood to ensure financial security and economic stability shall be made available
to ageing workers or elderly employees. They shall be allowed to work for as long as they
can until mandatory retirement under Philippine labor laws.
SECTION  8.  LONG-TERM  CARE  UNDER  SOCIAL  INSURANCE  -  All  Filipino  senior
citizens  who  are  covered  under  social  security  laws,  retirement  or  pension  programs
under the  Government  Service  Insurance  System  (GSIS),  the  Social  Security  System
(SSS) for the private sector, the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) or such other
social  security mechanisms that may be established,  shall  continue to enjoy the  same
benefits therein, with special consideration for further enhancements and improvements
in the provision of such pension and retirement benefits.
SECTION 9.  LONG-TERM CARE UNDER SOCIAL WELFARE - Filipino senior citizens
shall  continue to  be entitled  and eligible for benefits and  privileges  under Republic Act
No.  9994,  otherwise  known  as  the  Expanded  Senior  Citizens  Act  of  2010  and  the
Centenarians  Act  of 2016,  and  such  other  social  services  assistance  currently  being
implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and those
which shall soon be transferred to the National Commission for Senior Citizens (NCSC).
SECTION 10. LONG-TERM CARE UNDER SOCIAL SAFETY NETS -As provided under
RA  9994,  verified  Indigent  Senior  Citizens  shall  continue  to  benefit  from  the  Social
Pension program through the monthly stipend  received as financial assistance to cover
basic needs of individual senior citizens. The government shall endeavor to expand the
coverage of the  Social  Pension  program  and/or increase the amount granted to social
pensioners to cope with the rising cost of living.
LTC under Social Safety Nets shall likewise apply to the mandatory coverage of all Filipino
senior   citizens   under   the   Philippine   Health   Insurance   Corporation   (PHILHEALTH)
mandated  by  Republic  Act  No.   10645.  The  issuance  of  senior  citizens'   PhilHealth


Identification Cards as well as the further enhancement of the "senior citizens' package"
of medical services needed and usually availed of by senior citizens shall be undertaken
by the PhilHealth, in coordination with the NCSC.
A system for cross-referencing and digital inter-connectedness of existing senior citizens
databases under programs mentioned in Section 8, 9, and 10 may also be developed to
support this  integrated  and  coordinated  provision  of services  and  assistance to  senior
citizens.
RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITIES AND GROUP HOMES
SECTloN  11.  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.
SECTloN   12.   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  Alzhejmer's  disease,  or  some  life-threatening  or  terminal
illness,  needing assisted daily-living (ADLs), or palliative or hospice care.
These   institutions  mentioned   under  Section   11   and   12  shall  abide  by  the   DSWD-
mandated regulatory and accreditation standards, comply with Accessibility Law or Batas
Pambansa  No.  344  requirements,  and  anti-elder abuse  policies.  In  addition,  residents
living  in  these  facilities  shall  continue to  be  entitled  to  their  individual  benefits  granted
under RA 9994 and RA 10645 on mandatory PhilHealth coverage.
HEALTHCARE PROGRAMS
SECTION  13.  NATIONAL  HEALTHY  AND  PRODUCTIVE  AGEING  PROGRAM  -As
mandated  by  RA  9994,  the  Department  of  Health  (DOH)  shall  endeavor  to  continue
implementing  its "Healthy and  Productive Ageing  Program",  and enhance  it accordingly
as committed to the World Health Organization (WHO). Focused on promoting the health


and wellness of senior citizens and alleviating the conditions of older persons with chronic
and degenerative diseases, the program aims to promote quality life among older persons
by providing equitable access to quality healthcare.
SECTION  14.  NATIONAL  CENTER  FOR  GERIATRIC  HEALTH  (NCGH)  -  As  the
country's first senior citizen hospital, genuine efforts by relevant government institutions
shall be undertaken to address its limited capabilities and achieve its vision of becoming
the premier specialty hospital for elderly citizens. This includes the urgent enactment of
a  law  institutionalizing  its  operations  as  a  full-pledged  geriatric  hospital  able  to  admit
elderly patients with complex cases.
SECTION  15.  PRIMARY  HEALTH  CARE  FACILITIES  -Primary  healthcare  facilities
consist of rural health units, their sub-centers, chest clinics, malaria eradication units, and
schistosomiasis  control  units  operated  by  the  DOH,  puericulture  centers  operated  by
League of Puericulture Centers, among others. These Health stations, Rural Health Units
(RHUs), and Health Centers (HCs) should be maximized as the entry points of individuals,
families, and communities into the health system. As such,  all Local Government Units
(LGUs) shall ensure that other health services and medical assistance provided at the
local-level at the Barangay Health Centers to senior citizens, such as the free influenza
and pneumococcal vaccines mandated under RA 9994, as well as the provision of free
maintenance medicines for Metabolic Syndrome conditions such as high cholesterol, high
blood pressure, and high blood sugar often suffered by ageing people, shall continue to
be provided regularly in sufficient quantity.  Funding for said health services and medical
assistance  shall  come  from  their  mandated  1%  for  Senior  Citizens  and  Persons  with
Disabilities (PWDs) and their assured share in the lntemal Revenue Allotment (IRA) as
mandated under the Mandanas ruling rendered by the Supreme Court.
SECTloN 16. IVIOBILE HEALTH CARE SERVICES (MHCS) -Local authorities shall be
enjoined to adopt the scheme of "Mobile Health Care Services" (MHCS) to help close the
gap in the public healthcare system by providing access to healthcare services to older
people  who  have  scarce  resources  and/or  living  in  isolated  and  remote  areas,  in  a
sustainable, comprehensive way and at relatively low costs.
The program entails using motorbikes, trained medical staff are regularly delivering health
care services to communities, especially to older people,  living  in  isolated  and  hard-to-
reach areas. Through regular outreach/home visits,  basic diagnosis, treatment, and the
provision of medicine shall be delivered. The trained medical staff will also provide health
information on nutrition,  hygiene and sanitation, communicable and chronic diseases to
promote healthy aging and prevent chronic diseases.
COIVIMUNITY-BASED SERVICES
SECTloN 17. COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES -Refers to the programs and services


rendered when the helping process primarily conducted through socialization, takes place
in the community as the primary client system, or when social welfare and development
activities are provided to individuals, groups and families while they remain in their own
homes so they can remain active and productive.
a.   SENIOR  CITIZENS  CENTER  -  This  refers  to  a  Day  Center facility  established
under RA 7876 to serve as a venue for recreational, educational, health and socio-
cultural  programs  and  activities,  including  the  provision  of  community  -  based
educational services such as the following:
1 )   LEARNING NETWORK/RESOURCE POOL -A community-based educational
service  that  provides  avenues  for  information  sharing,  and  practical  skills
enhancement (i.e.  painting,  handicrafts,  weaving,  etc.),  lt will  mobilize  retired
professionals/talented senior citizens to serve as volunteer teachers /resource
persons. The Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) will spearhead the
implementation of this service in every city/ municipality and/or barangay with
the support of the DSWD.
2)   SHELTERED WORKSHOP FOR LIVELIHOOD -The sheltered workshop is a
venue designed to provide work training and productive employment for senior
citizens   by   producing   and   selling   goods   or  services.   The   funds   for   its
operationalization  will  be  sourced  out  from  the  Local  Government  Units  or
through  National  Government Agencies.  The workshop activities will  include
the following:
a)   Provision   of   skills   training    -   This   provides   senior   citizens   with
opportunities,  productive  activity,  as well psychological and vocational
guidance. This will be spearheaded by the C/MSWDO and implemented
by   the   OSCA,   in   coordination   with   other   concerned   government
agencies  like  Technical  Education  and  Skills  Development  Authority
(TESDA),  DTl's  Philippine Trade Training  Center (PTTC),  Department
of   Agriculture    (DA)    Entrepreneurial    Skills    Training    and    DOLE's
Integrated Livelihood program and NGOs.
b)   Livelihood  program  - The  senior citizens will  be  provided with  startaup
capital  for  livelihood  activities  and  allowance  on  the  course  of  the
livelihood  training  program,  possible  under  the  DSWD's  Sustainable
Livelihood Program (SLP).
b.  INTER-GENERATIONAL SERVICE -This provides opportunities for the young
and old to interact and mutually learn from each other. The senior citizens may act
as resource persons for the younger generation, sharing their vast experiences,
learnings  and  insights  through  storytelling,  testimonials.  This  can  be  conducted


during day care activities, parents meetings, youth assemblies, etc. The LGUs and
OSCA may have a memorandum of agreement with the local school board to allow
the volunteer senior citizens to act as resource person on one subject or topic in
elementary/ high school or to mentor pupils who are slow learners.  Likewise, the
C/MSWDO will identify Day Care Center/s where older persons can volunteer.
c.   HOME  CARE  SUPPORT  SERVICE  -  This  pertains  to  services  provided  to
senior citizens while  in  their homes such  as assisting  senior citizens  in  their
daily  living  activities  (e.g.  bathing,  eating,  dressing);  training  volunteers  and
family members on caregiving for senior citizens; provision of assistive devices
for  senior  citizens:  and  community-based  rehabilitative  activities.  This  may
include  Hospice  Care  Service  offering  shelter and  care to weary-sick senior
citizens.  Volunteers  may  be  mobilized  to  provide the  direct  services  and/or
assistance  to  the  dying  senior  citizens  and  psychosocial  support  to  their
families'
d.   FOSTER  HOME  -  This  is  the  provision  of a  planned  temporary  alternative
family care for older persons who are abandoned, neglected, unattached from
the community or those in residential care facilities but found eligible to benefit
from  the  program.  It will  provide  subsidies  and  care  giver training  for foster
families licensed by the DSWD.
e.   FAMILY/KINSHIP  CARE  -  This  is  a  form  of foster  care  which  involves  the
placement of a senior citizen under the care of his/her relatives and/or family
members.  This  includes  provision  of  caregiving  training  to  the  main  family
carer; establishing community-based Support system to prevent burn-out of the
carer; and prevent institutionalization of the senior citizens.
OTHER SOCIAL SUPPORT SYSTEM
SECTloN  18.  SUPPORT  SERVICES  FOR  CAREGIVERS  -  This  refers  to  capability
building  and  continuing  education  for  caregivers  on  care  and  management  of  older
persons and on bum-out prevention. It also seeks to relieve caregivers/family carers of
stress arising from the responsibility of providing daily care.  It will also provide subsidies
and allowances to volunteers in the amount approved by the LGUs.
SECTION 19. SENIOR CITIZENS ASSOCIATIONS -the organization / strengthening of
existing organizations and associations of people aged sixty (60) years old and above,
who  shall  be  provided  with  opportunities  for  participation,  engagement  and  active
involvement in socio-political and economic endeavors. Further, this component will also
provide for building or enhancing the capacity of the senior citizens jn leadership, conflict
management, stewardship, and other programs.


SECTION 20. VOLUNTEER RESOURCE SERVICES (VRS) - This will encourage and
mobilize   individuals,   interested   groups   and   intermediaries,   as  well   as   able-bodied
senior citizens to voluntarily contribute their time, skills and capabilities for the delivery of
programs/services for the benefit of the senior citizens living alone. The components are
the following:
a)   FRIENDLY  VISITOR  SERVICE  -  This  provides  opportunities  for  interested
individuals, organizations, active members of senior citizens organizations and
other  sectors/members  of  nearby  communities  to  volunteer,  visit,  befriend,
advise,  and assist senior citizens who are either living on their own or in  the
residential care or alternative care;
b)   VOLUNTEER   COMPANION   SERVICE   -   This   encourages   volunteers   to
escorvaccompany senior citizens who would need to go to the hospital, church,
malls,  and  other  public  places.  This  service  will  tap  the  National  Student
Training  Program  (NSTP)  students  as  volunteers.   DSWD  and  NCSC  will
provide   an   orientation   and   basic  training   for  the   volunteer  students   on
understanding the dynamics, behavior of senior citizens, the aging process and
the benefits of volunteering.
SECTION  21. Implementing  Rules and  Regulations -   Within ninety (90) days from the
approval of this Act, the National Commission on Senior Citizens, and all relevant government
agencies and other stakeholders comprising its Inter-Agency Advisory Body, shall formulate
the necessary implementing rules and regulations.
SECTION  22.  Separability clause - lf any portion or provision of this Act is declared
invalid or unconstitutiona], other provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full
force and effect.
SECTloN  23.  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 24. Effectivity -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication in
the Official Gazette or in newspaper of general circulation.
Approved