Republic of the Philippines  
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City  
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session  
HOUSE BILL NO. _________ 
Introduced by Representative Mercedes “Didi” C. Cagas 
AN ACT  
ESTABLISHING A HOME FOR THE ELDERLY IN THE PROVINCE OF DAVAO DEL 
SUR, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
It is the declared policy of the State to value the dignity of every human person, 
guarantee full respect for human rights, and to provide an improved quality of life for all 
especially the elderly through programs that protect and promote their right to health and safety.  
The Covid-19 pandemic has greatly affected the lives of every Filipino in all walks of 
life, regardless of status, gender or age.  It has further exposed and exacerbated the glaring need 
to care for the elderly who has been trapped, deprived of income sources, health care, and 
inaccessibility to essential needs.  Even more so to those elderly who became homeless, have 
been neglected, abandoned or abused.  
This representation believes in the dignity of human life and utmost respect to the 
elderly, and thus recognizes the need to establish the Davao Del Sur Home for the Elderly. 
It is for the foregoing reason that the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
MERCEDES “DIDI” C. CAGAS 
April 26, 2021
12:23 pm
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Republic of the Philippines  
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City  
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session  
HOUSE BILL NO. _________ 
Introduced by Representative Mercedes “Didi” C. Cagas 
AN ACT  
ESTABLISHING A HOME FOR THE ELDERLY IN THE PROVINCE OF DAVAO DEL 
SUR, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled:  
SECTION 1. Establishment. – There shall be established the Davao Del Sur Home for the 
Elderly in the Province of Davao Del Sur to provide free living accommodations, food and 
clothing, medical and health care, recreational and social interaction activities to homeless, 
abandoned, neglected, abused, or indigent senior citizens in the Province of Davao Del Sur.  
The Home for the Elderly shall be established, operated and maintained by the Department of 
Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in coordination with the Department of Health and 
the Provincial Government of Davao Del Sur. 
SEC. 2. Definition of Terms. – For purposes of this Act, the following terms shall be construed 
to mean as follows:  
(a) Elderly – refers to any person aged sixty (60) years old and above;
(b) Abandoned Senior Citizen – refers to a senior citizen who has been deserted,
permanently or temporarily, by his relatives or persons who have general or legal
responsibility over the senior, and/or from whom all basic care has been
withdrawn, whether willfully or not;
(c) Indigent Senior Citizens – refers to those persons who are either frail, sickly,
suffering from any disability, and has no other means to support his/her basic
needs as determined by the Department of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD);
(d) Homeless Senior Citizen – refers to a senior citizen who lacks a fixed, regular
residence, or whose current residence is unfit for human habitation or lacks
resources to obtain proper housing;
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(e) 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;  
 
SEC. 3. Functions of the Davao Del Sur Home for the Elderly. – The proposed home for the 
elderly shall provide the homeless, abandoned, neglected, abused, or indigent senior citizens 
in the Province of Davao Del Sur with the following care and services, among others:   
(a) Comfortable living quarters;  
(b) Adequate food and clothing; 
(c) Medical consultation and treatment;   
(d) Health care; 
(e) Occupational opportunities; 
(f) Recreational and social interaction activities; 
(g) Counselling; 
(h) Case conference; 
(i) Family dialogue; 
(j) Outreach to existing family for reintegration;  
(k) Literacy education;  
(l) Productivity development; and  
(m) Religious, cultural and vocational activities. 
 
SEC. 4.  Appropriations. – The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be 
included in the Annual General Appropriations Act.  
 
SEC. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations – The Department of Social Welfare and 
Development (DSWD) in coordination with the Department of Health and the Provincial 
Government of Davao Del Sur shall promulgate the rules and regulations necessary to carry 
out the provisions of this Act.  
SEC. 6. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations, rules and 
regulations, and other issuances, or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of 
this Act, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 7. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act shall be held unconstitutional or 
invalid, the other provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in full force and effect.  
SEC. 8. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its complete 
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.  
Approved,