RECEIVED
Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES  TIMEs_2pm
Quezon City a :
S,BY: ae
<.
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS YY
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 8739

Introduced By Representative: ALLAN BENEDICT S. REYES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

According to a 2018 study by the Philippine institute for Development Studies (PIDS),
the Philippines is on its way to becoming an “ageing society" in 2032. This means that in
eleven (11) years, Filipinos aged 65 years old and older will make up seven per cent (7%) of.
our country’s total population. In 2069, this figure is even expected to go up to fourteen per
cent (14%), thus, making the Philippines an "aged society."' This rapid population ageing will
naturally lead to changing demands to health care systems? These systems are thus

, expected to accommodate care for the elderly for which they need medical facilities that will
cater to the unique health conditions of this vulnerable sector of our society. As we may all
know, an ageing population tends to have a higher prevalence of chronic diseases, physical
disabilities, mental illnesses and other co-morbidities. Thus, the health needs and health-
related problems of elderly people cannot be viewed in isolation?

Geriatrics is the branch of medicine that focuses on prevention, diagnosis, and
treatment of diseases in the aged and on the socio-economic matters that affect health care
services for elderly persons. Geriatrics research and clinical practice encompass both
persons residing with or without caregivers at home and those receiving clinical care at
hospitals and nursing facilities. in addition to managing the care of aged patients, the key
goals of geriatric medicine include training medical students, physicians, and other health
care professionals in geriatric issues as well as researching the aging process and the
accompanying conditions affecting the elderly.*

On 27 May 2010, the National Center for Geriatric Health (NCGH) was inaugurated
as part of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's social safety net and health services
programs which aim to provide for the special needs of senior citizens nationwide. Up to this

Ageing in the Philippines available at hups//usw.mc.cdu.ph/alumni/news/ArticleID /1500/ Sesingsin-the-
Philippines (ast accessed 7 February 2021)

2 The challenge for health care systems available at
wins. //wie cho int/ageing/publications/ale fs ageing policy pif (ast accessed 7 February 2021),

> Shrivastava, . R., Shrivastava, PS. & Ramasamy, J. 2013). Healthcare of Elderly: Determinants, Needs and Services.
Intemational journal of preventive medicine, —4(10), «1224-1225 available at
dbups://wwye chi alm articles/PMC3813313/citedoy/ (last accessed 7 February 2021)

‘ ‘The impact of a literanure consult service on geriatric clinical care and training in falls prevention available at

hgos articles PNIC2268225 /#11536.5050-.096.02.0088-b8 (ast accessed 7 February

2021).

5 Natl Geriatric Health: The need for an insttutionalized center available at htps:/ /w-w-w.pna.gov.ph /articles/ 1070893

(ast accessed 7 February 2021).

Page 1 of 4

EPRES,
Satie

hA\



date, however, the NCGH is still not operational because there is no law which allows it to
operate. NCGH remains to be an out-patient department (OPD) under Jose Reyes Memorial
Center. A number of bills have already been sponsored to convert the NCGH into a corporate
body to be attached to the Department of Health (DOH) but none of these bills have been
passed as of writing.

Since NCGH is located in Manila, elderly in the provinces may have difficulty availing
of its programs and services. Hence, there is need to bring geriatric care closer to our senior
citizens, especially to those who reside in far-flung areas, through the various local
government units (LGUs). This can be more effectively done through the establishment of
geriatric special-care units in our existing public hospitals, instead of constructing new
establishments. After all, no less than Article XIII, Section 11 of the Constitution provides that
we must adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which shall
endeavor to make health and other social services available to all the people at affordable
cost, especially for the vulnerable members of society like the elderly.

In view of the foregoing, passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

(UA /A-

HON. ALLAN BENEDICT S. REYES
Representative
3" District, Quezon City

‘ Id. Natl Geriatric Health: ~The need for an._institutionalized center available at
tns:/ /www-pna gov. ph /articles/ 10701895 (last accessed 7 February 2021).

« Id.

Page 2 of 4


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. _8739

Introduced By Representative: ALLAN BENEDICT S. REYES

COVA GAWNHE

AN ACT MANDATING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF GERIATRIC SPECIAL CARE
UNITS IN ALL PUBLIC 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 “Geriatric Special Care
Units Act of 2021.”

SECTION 2. Coverage. - Except for specialty hospitals catering to other non-elderly
sectors, all Metro Manila and regional hospitals under the Department of Health (DOH)
shall have Geriatric Special Care Units that will provide exceptional patient care, both in-
patient and out-patient, as well as research on aging and training for physicians and other
health care professionals, to address the specific medical needs of the elderly.

SECTION 3. Geriatric Special Care Units Fund. - Funding for the establishment of
Geriatric Special Care Units shall be sourced from the DOH under the General
Appropriations Act. Disbursements from the said Fund shall be subject to the usual
accounting and budgeting rules and regulations.

SECTION 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from the
promulgation of this Act, the necessary rules and regulations for the proper implementation
of its provisions shall be formulated by the Department of Health (DOH) in coordination
with all the stakeholders and covered establishments and institutions.

SECTION 5. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, administrative orders,
rules, regulations, decrees, and other issuances or parts thereof, which are inconsistent
with the provisions of this Act are hereby revoked, repealed, or modified accordingly.

SECTION 6. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall continue in
operation and remain in full force and effect.

Page 3 of 4


OURWNE

SECTION 7. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after

its publication the Official Gazette or in the two (2) national newspaper of general
circulation.

Approved,

Page 4 of 4