CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
House Bill No. ei

Introduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT ESTABLISHING AND INSTITUTIONALIZING LONG-TERM CARE FOR
SENIOR CITIZENS, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

We Filipinos are known for the unrequited care we give our elderly. In fact, this
customary practice is one attribute that sets us apart from other cultures. Sadly, this
generosity is oftentimes extended only to members of our own families. Thus, those
who have been abandoned and neglected by their loved ones find themselves
unattended and helpless in their advanced age.

The State, as parens patriae, should take an active role in alleviating the plight of
our senior citizens, especially the unwanted and deserted. Not only is this consistent
with our deeply rooted values, but more so, is a visible testament to our government's
commitment to alleviate the living conditions of all our citizens, both young and old
alike. Nevertheless, we can only be truly effective in this effort if we can give our senior
citizens long term care and services.

This is precisely what this Bill seeks to achieve. Hence, by formulating a national
long term care program for senior citizens, it is hoped that the government and its vital
agencies can be more efficient in combating the problems confronting our senior
citizens and ultimately, help fulfill its promise of securing for our people a prosperous
life.

In view of the paramount significance if this Bill, its passage is most earnestly
sought.

DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO GLORIA weanncn ARROYO
Representative, 2" Dist., Camarines Sur Represe 4 Dist., Pampanga



CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

House Bill No.. 2779

Introduced by Representatives
GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO and DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT ESTABLISHING AND INSTITUTIONALIZING LONG-TERM CARE FOR
SENIOR CITIZENS, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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 Long-Term Care for Senior
Citizens Act of 2013.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policies. The State recognizes the invaluable
contribution of senior citizens to the national development program. Accordingly, it is
hereby declared the policy of the State to provide adequate and effective social services
to all members of society especially senior citizens so they may live prosperously and
enjoy the fruits of their labor. For this purpose, the State undertakes to establish and
initiate programs as well as to support endeavors aimed at promoting and advancing
the social and economic well being of senior citizens.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. For purposes of this Act, the following terms
shall be construed to mean as follows:
a. A “senior citizen” refers to any person as defined in Section 3 of Republic Act
No. 7876, otherwise known as the Senior Citizen Center Act.
b. Long-term care refers to a sustained provision of comprehensive programs
and services to Senior Citizens with the view of enabling them to have
dignified, healthy and secured lives.


c. Dependent senior citizens refers to those persons who are either frail, sickly,
suffering from any disability, and has no other means to support his/her basic
needs.

SECTION 4. National Long-Term Care Program Framework. A national long-term
care program for senior citizens is hereby established which shall embody the following
core programs and/or services, among others:

a. Social Protection shall cover programs which seek to reduce poverty and
vulnerability to risks and enhance the social status and rights of senior citizens
by promoting and protecting them against hazards and sudden loss of income
and improving senior citizens’ capacity to manage risk.

a.1. Social Welfare. Curative and preventive interventions that
seek to support the special needs of Senior Citizens and to reduce risks
associated with old age shall be provided. These shall include activities
aimed at protecting senior citizens from abuse, exploitation and
discrimination. Moreover, prevention and provision of support services
against physical, emotional and financial abuse, sexual exploitation,
neglect and abandonment of senior citizens shall be established within the
family and at the community level. Towards this end, trainings and
awareness campaigns shall be initiated to raise the public’s awareness of
the problems confronting senior citizens and to equip the public with the
necessary know-how to prevent and detect problem areas concerning
senior citizens.

a.2. _Livelihood/Job Generation Program. Senior citizens shall be
specifically targeted in livelihood programs and other poverty alleviation
programs. Further, livelihood programs shall guarantee a minimum
income and shall be designed in a manner that increases senior citizen’s
productivity.

a.3. Social Insurance. Existing social insurance programs shall be
modified and expanded to guarantee that senior citizens shall be
adequately protected from loss of income and unemployment as a result
of old age. Economic and financial support through other innovative social
insurance and pension schemes especially designed for families caring for
dependents/disabled senior citizens shall likewise be endeavored.

a.4. Social Safety Nets. Stop-gap mechanisms or urgent and
immediate responses shall be instituted to shield senior citizens from
vulnerabilities arising from disasters, emergency and displacement due to
development projects, natural and man-made calamities.


b. Senior Citizens and Development. This shall include mainstreaming
activities such as lifelong education programs for ageing preparation and non-
formal education at the local level for those sixty (60) years old and above and
development of programs which will allow senior citizens to remain actively
engaged in as many social, economic and community activities as possible.

c. Advancing Health and Well-being. An integrated and innovative elderly-
focused health and social services shall be made available at the local level.
Particular emphasis shall be made on disease prevention, health promotion
and wellness of mind, body and spirit. Health services shall comprise
preventive, curative and rehabilitative health care services in all government
and private hospitals, local health facilities and other community-based
facilities. The said program shall contemplate the following, among others:

c.1. Homecare and hospice for the frail and dependent elderly
and medical and psychological support for patients requiring continued
medical assistance after discharge.

©.2. Development and provision of geriatric training at the family
and community level.

c.3. Mandatory PHILHEALTH coverage for non-contributory
senior citizens especially the poor.

d. Enabling and Supportive Environment. Provision of home nursing for the
elderly, facilities for respite care, programs on counseling, professional
guidance and emotional support and low-cost, community-based activities
integrated into existing community health programs as well as strengthening
of inter-generational relationships.

Nothing above prevents the agencies tasked to implement the provisions
of this Act from introducing other social services and programs designed to
promote the National Long-Term Care Program for senior citizens.

SECTION 5. Implementing Agencies. The National Long-Term Care Program for
Senior Citizens shall be implemented jointly by the Department of Finance, Department
of Health, Department of Interior and Local Government, the various local government
units and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). The National
Inter-Agency Monitoring Board created under Republic Act No. 9257 otherwise known
as the Expanded Senior Citizens act shall take the lead in monitoring the
implementation of this Act.


SECTION 6. Appropriation. The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of
this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act of the year following
its enactment into law, and, thereafter, the local government units shall undertake the
maintenance of the institutions established under this Act.

SECTION 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within ninety (90) days from
the effectivity of this Act, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, after due
consultations with the other implementing agencies, shall promulgate the necessary
rules and regulations necessary for the orderly implementation of this Act.

SECTION 8. Separability Clause. If any part of this Act is declared
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall continue to
be in full force and effect.

SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, rules and regulations or parts
thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, modified or amended
accordingly.

SECTION 10. éffectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved,