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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
5929

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative EDGAR R. ERICE

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The bill secks to create a publicly funded shelter home or houses specifically for
senior citizens of both genders.

According to the 2010 Census of Population and Housing conducted by the Philippine
Statistics Authority, the total number of senior citizens (60 years old and above) is 6.2
million, accounting for 6.8 percent of year 2000 Philippine population and it is projected that
senior’s population will grow to 9.5 million in 2020.

Senior citizens are mostly frail, sickly, or with disability and without pension or
regular source of income, compensation or financial assistance from their relatives in order to
support their basic needs.

Amidst the growing population of senior citizens, their welfare deserves much
attention. A study conducted by Alfredo M. Antonio a Ph.D. Development Studies student
from the De La Salle University-Manila entitled Filipino Senior Citizen's Care Management:
Current Status of Local Government Unit's Response, reveals that there are only four
government-run homes for the aged nationwide.

It is the declared policy of the State to promote the welfare of the elderly as enshrined
in RA 7876 otherwise known as “the Senior Cittzens Center Act of the Philippines which
states that “the State provide adequate social services and improved quality of life for
all...the State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach towards health
development giving priority to elderly among others”, In order to uphold the State's policy,
the government should provide assistance to the elderly by creating a publicly funded house
for the aged

‘The government should provide for the maintenance and welfare of senior citizens.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is eamestly sought

2™ District Caloocan City



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
‘Quezon City
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
5929

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative EDGAR R. ERICE

AN ACT CREATING A PUBLICLY FUNDED SHELTER HOME OR HOUSE FOR
‘THE AGED FOR EVERY CITY AND MUNICIPALITY IN THE COUNTRY

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as “The Housing Act for the Aged
specifically the Seniors.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. ~ \t is the policy of the State to promote the
welfare of the elderly as enshrined in RA 7876 otherwise known as “Senior Citizens Center
Act of the Philippines” which state that “the State should provide adequate social services
and improved quality of life for all. xxx the State shall adopt an integrated and
comprehensive approach towards health development giving priority to elderly among
others.”

SECTION 3. Creation of publicly funded Houses for the Aged. ‘There shall be
established under the control and supervision of the Department of Social Welfare and
Development (DSWD) a Shelter Home or House for the Aged for each city or municipality.
There should be a separate house for the female and male seniors.

SECTION 4. Funding. The budgetary allocation needed to carry out the provisions
of this Act is hereby authorized to be appropriated in the General Appropriations Act of the
year immediately following its enactment into law.

SECTION 3. Repealing Clause. — Ail laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed and/or modified accordingly

SECTION 4. Effectivity. ~ This Act shall take effect afier fifteen (15) days following
the completion of its publication in the Official Gazente or in at least two (2) national
newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,