TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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First Regular Session 
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SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 596
Introduced by Senator Erwin T. Tulfo
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25 JUL 15 A 9 :37
RECEiVtU.-
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE GERIATRIC SPECIALTY CENTERS 
IN THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH-RETAINED 
HOSPITALS, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The aging population is increasing globally, and the Philippines 
is no exception. The Commission on Population and Development 
(CPD) has projected that by 2030 our country can already be 
considered an aging population.1 This demographic shift presents both 
challenges and opportunities, particularly in the area of healthcare for 
the elderly.
The undersigned believes that our elderly deserve compassionate, 
accessible, and specialized care that respects their dignity and promotes 
their well-being.
To address the growing needs, this bill seeks to establish geriatric 
specialty centers across the Philippines. It shall have the following 
objectives:
a) To operate, administer and maintain an integrated center, 
which shall specialize in geriatric health services;
1 https://www.philstar.eom/headlines/2024/01/09/2324420/philippines-tnav-have-aging-population-
2030-cpd. accessed last 11 July 2025.


b) To provide and maintain quality, affordable and timely 
health care which prioritizes the need of senior citizens;
c) To assist in the education and training of geriatricians, 
nurses, health officers, social workers, and other medical 
and technical personnel in the practical and scientific 
implementation of health services to the older persons;
d) To facilitate and encourage the dissemination of 
information on the prevention, treatment and control of 
age-related diseases; and
e) To ensure that all centers are equipped to respond to 
emergencies to protect and care for elderly patients.
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this^ill is earnestly
sought.
ERWIN t. TULFO


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
First Regular Session
25 JUL15 A 9 37
RECEiVKiJ
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. o u
ro0
Introduced by Senator Erwin T. Tulfo
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AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE GERIATRIC SPECIALTY CENTERS IN 
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH-RETAINED HOSPITALS, 
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Short Title- - This Act shall be known as the 
“Senior Citizens ’ Specialty Center Act”.
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby deelared the poliey 
of the State to proteet and promote the right to health of senior eitizens 
by ensuring that health services are available and accessible to them 
through the establishment of geriatric specialty centers that will cater 
to their medical needs.
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:
a) Geriatric health services refer to the medieal services or 
intervention provided by a multi-disciplinary team usually 
headed by a Geriatrician;


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b) Geriatrician refers to a medieal doctor who has passed the 
necessary training and examination, and specializes in the 
field of Geriatrics;
c) Geriatrics refers to the sub-specialty of Internal Medicine 
that aims to promote health, and to prevent and treat 
disabilities of older adults;
d) Senior citizens or older persons refer to Filipino citizens 
who are at least sixty (60) years old.
SEC. 4. Geriatric Specialty Centers. - The Department of 
Health (DOH) is hereby mandated to establish Geriatric Specialty 
Centers within DOH-retained hospitals, which shall function as the 
primary health care providers for senior citizens. Provided, that the 
scope, level, and standards of geriatric services to be rendered by these 
centers shall be determined by the Department of Health, in 
accordance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations.
The DOH, in coordination with the Department of Budget and 
Management (DBM), shall ensure that these centers are equipped with 
the necessary resources, personnel, and facilities to deliver 
comprehensive and specialized care tailored to the needs of senior 
citizens or older persons.
SEC. 5. Objectives. - To carry out the provisions of this Act, the 
Geriatric Specialty Centers shall have the following objectives:
a) To operate, administer and maintain an integrated center, 
which shall specialize in geriatric health services;
b) To provide and maintain quality, affordable and timely 
health care which prioritizes the need of senior citizens;
c) To assist in the education and training of geriatricians, 
nurses, health officers, social workers, and other medical


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and technical personnel in the practical and scientific 
implementation of health services to the older persons;
d) To facilitate and encourage the dissemination of 
information on the prevention, treatment and control of 
age-related diseases; and
e) To ensure that all centers are equipped to respond to 
emergencies to protect and care for elderly patients.
SEC. 6. Administration of Geriatric Specialty Centers. — The 
Department of Health (DOH), in coordination with the incumbent 
Medical Director of the concerned DOH-retained hospital, shall oversee 
the establishment, operation, and management of Geriatric Specialty 
Centers, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, specialized health care 
services tailored to the needs of senior citizens:
a) Formulate and develop programs for the enhancement of 
healthcare services for older persons, including the training 
of geriatricians, resident doctors, nurses, health officers, 
social workers, and other medical and technical personnel;
b) Allocate financial, technical, and human resources 
necessary for the effective operation of the centers, 
including funding, procuring medical equipment, and 
ensuring adequate staffing levels.
c) Enter into such agreements and arrangements with other 
medical institutions;
d) Invite foreign geriatricians and similar experts in the 
various medical fields not available in the country in order 
to train the personnel or trainees;
e) Send personnel to research institutes, medical institutes or 
universities for advanced geriatric;


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f) To do all such other acts and things as may be necessary 
or ineidental for the accomplishment of this Aet.
SEC. 7. Program for Indigents. — The Department of Health 
(DOH) shall adopt, implement, and enforee a eomprehensive program 
specifically designed to provide aeeessible and affordable health eare 
services to indigent senior eitizens, ensuring their inclusion in the 
benefits and services offered by Geriatric Specialty Centers.
SEC. 8. Tax Exemptions. - Any donation, bequest and grant shall 
be exempt from donor’s tax and the same shall be eonsidered as 
allowable deduction from the gross income of the donor in accordance 
with the provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as 
amended.
SEC. 9. Assistance from Government Offices. - The DOH may 
eall upon any bureau, office, ageney or instrumentality of the 
government, including government-owned or eontrolled eorporations, 
for such assistance as it may need in the pursuit of its objeetives.
SEC. 10. Annual Report. - The DOH shall render to the President 
of the Philippines an annual report of its activities and 
recommendations.
SEC. 11. Appropriations. - The Secretary of Health shall 
immediately include in the Department’s programs the implementation 
of this Aet, the funding of which shall be included in the annual General 
Appropriations Aet.
SEC. 12. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty 
(60) days from the effectivity of this Act, the DOH, in eoordination 
with the DBM, shall promulgate such rules and regulations neeessary 
for the effective implementation of this Aet.
SEC. 13. Separability Clause. - Should any provision or part of 
this Act be declared uneonstitutional or invalid, the other provisions


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and parts hereof, insofar as they are separable from the invalid ones, 
shall remain in full force and effect.
SEC. 14. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, 
proclamations, rules and regulations, or parts thereof, which are 
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified 
accordingly.
SEC. 15. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in the Offieial Gazette or in at least two (2) 
newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,