Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No. 5285

Introduced by Honorable Carmelo F. Lazatin

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The government recognizes senior citizens as integral part of society. During their
prime, they contributed, in one way or another, to make the country a much better place for the
younger generation to enjoy.

{As proof of the State's appreciation of their hardwork, Republic Act 7432 or the Senior
Citizens Act of 2003 was passed by Congress, ensuring that senior citizens are assisted and
appreciated by the community as a whole.

On 2009, Congress amended RA 7432 with RA 9994 to further advance the welfare of
senior citizens and, at the same time, maximize their contribution to nation-building.

One amendment was the granting of free medical and dental services, diagnostic and
laboratory fees such as, but not limited to x-rays, computerized tomography scans and blood
tests in all government facilities, subject to the guidelines to be issued by the DOH in
coordination with the PhilHealth,

However, majority of our senior citizens needs regular annual physical examination
that most of them cannot afford due to the fact that they are retired employees or indigents,

As way of looking after our elderly, this bill seeks to amend the aforementioned

provision and include free and mandatory annual physical examination for all senior citizens,
including vital laboratory examinations.

In view of the foregoing, approval of ths bill is earnestly sought.

Ly

CARMELO. ‘ATIN

First District, Pi nage


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House BillNo.__ 9285,

Introduced by Honorable Carmelo F. Lazatin

AN ACT PROVIDING FREE ANNUAL PHYSICAL AND OTHER
LABORATORY EXAMINATIONS TO SENIOR CITIZENS, AMENDING
SECTION 4(E) OF REPUBLIC ACT 7432, AS AMENDED

BE it enacted in the Senate and the House of Representatives in Congress assembled:

Sec. 1. Declaration of Policy: Under Article 13, Section 11 of the 1987 Constitution,
the State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which
shall endeavor to make essential goods, health and other social services available to all the
people at affordable cost. There shall be priority for the needs of the under-privileged, sick,
elderly, disabled, women, and children

In addition, Section 4, Article 15 of the Constitution provides that the family has the
duty to care for its elderly members but the State may also do so through just programs of
social security.

Seeing the need to further advance the welfare of senior citizens through the
expansion of medical benefits provided to them, Section 4 (e) of Republic Act7432 as amended
is hereby further amended to read as follows:

"SEC. 4. Privileges for the Senior Citizens. ~ The senior citizens shall be entitled to the
following:

(2) x00 xxx

“(e) free medical and dental services, diagnostic and laboratory fees such as, but not
limited to, ANNUAL PHYSICAL EXAMINATION AND NECESSARY LABORATORY TESTS
RELATED TO IT, x-rays, computerized tomography scans, CARDIAC STRESS TESTS,
ENDOSCOPY, ULTRASOUND ON KIDNEYS, URETER AND BLADDER, PULMONARY
FUNCTION TESTS and blood tests, INCLUDING PROFESSIONAL FEE OF ATTENDING
PHYSICIANS, in all government facilities, subject to the guidelines to be issued by the DOH in
coordination with the PhilHealth;.


Sec. 2. Appropriation-Section 11 of RA 7432 shall be amended to read as follows

Sec. 11. Appropriations. - The necessary appropriations for the operation and
maintenance of the OSCA shall be appropriated and approved by the LGUs concemed. For
national government agencies, the requirements to implement the provisions of this Act shall
be included in their respective budgets: Provided, That the funds to be used for the national
health program INCLUDING THE ANNUAL PHYSICAL EXAMINATION AND NECESSARY
LABORATORY TESTS RELATED TO IT, CARDIAC STRESS TESTS, ENDOSCOPY,
ULTRASOUND ON KIDNEYS, URETER AND BLADDER, PULMONARY FUNCTION TEST
and for the vaccination of senior citizens in the first year of the DOH and thereafter, as a line
item under the under the DOH budget in the subsequent General Appropriations Act (GAA)
Provided, further, That the monthly social pension for indigent senior citizens in the first year of
implementation shall be added to the regular appropriations of the DSWD budget in the
subsequent GAA.

Sec. 3. Effectivity ~ This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its
Publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation,

Approved,