14'h CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Third Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 3356 
9 Jill. 28 i' 1 :'19 
Introduced by Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Our country has a constitutional mandate to show the State's gratitude for our elderly's 
asperities, sacrifices and great contribution without which, we would not have been where we are 
now, this bill seeks to introduce measures in order to ensure the protection of our elderly. 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. 
In consonant to this constitutional directive, the proposed measure seeks to protect and 
provide the welfare benefits 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 State must not ignore the worsening situation of our elderly, especially thuS&vith no 
identifiable family member or without any means of support or sustenance. It must be the 
vanguard in providing better collective and institutional support to boost the role of traditional 
support systems such as the family in the care of our elderly. 
Immediate passage of this bill is highly needed. 


14”‘ CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
Third Regular Session 
1 
. j. . 
_. , ... 
”’ 
Introduced by Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. 
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 ofthe 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”. 
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.) “Elderly” 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 entiusted 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 P150,000,000.00 (One Hundred Fifty 
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 10. 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 12. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otheiwise affected shall remain 
valid and subsisting. 
Section 13. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees or issuances, executive 
orders, letters of instruction, administrative orders or rules and regulations, which may be 
inconsistent with this Act shall be deemed repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
Section 14. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its 
publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,