Fifteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. _ 2298

Introduced by Honorable Godofredo V. Arquiza

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to create an “Elder Abuse Awareness Week” to increase
awareness of elder abuse and seek ways to resolve their problem.

Section 11, Article II of the 1987 Constitution provides that:

“The State values the dignity of every human person and
guarantees full respect for human rights.”

“Elder abuse” is a general term used to describe certain types of harm
to older adults. It may mean elder mistreatment or senior abuse. The World
Health Organization defines it as “a single, or repeated act, or lack of
appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an
expectation of trust which causes harm or distress to an older person.
Elderly abuse occurs even in the developed countries and many laws have
been in place around the globe to safeguard the rights of senior citizens.

It is the duty of the State to enact measures to protect human dignity
and safeguard the rights of the Senior Citizens and elderly. It is about time
that we set a special day to generate awareness about elder abuse and seek
ways and means to resolve their problems.


Positive emotions have lasting benefits that can transform a person
and change his life. We must encourage our elders to keep their mind, body
and spirit active, alert and be socially and physically fit. We should give our
senior citizens and elderly the importance in our society that they truly
deserve since their experience and knowledge have offered a wonderful
resource to our country.

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

GODPFREDO V. ARQUIZA


Fifteenth Congress
First Regular Session

House Biino._2298

Introduced by Honorable Godofredo V. Arquiza

AN ACT CREATING AN ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS WEEK

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

Section 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “ELDER
ABUSE AWARENESS WEEK.”

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared that the
State values the dignity of Senior Citizens and the Elderly and
guarantees full respect for human rights. The State also
recognizes the need to protect the Senior Citizens and the
Elderly, from any form of abuse for their personal safety and
security.

Towards this end, the State shall exert efforts to make
people aware about all forms of abuses being committed
against Senior Citizens and the Elderly and seek ways to
resolve these problems in keeping with the fundamental
freedoms guaranteed under the Constitution.

Section 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, these
terms are defined as follows:

(a) "Senior citizen" or “elderly” shall mean any resident citizen
of the Philippines at least sixty (60) years old or older as


defined in Republic Act No. 9257, otherwise known as the
“Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2003.”

(b) “Elderly” shall mean any resident citizen of the Philippines
who is between the age of fifty (50) and fifty-nine (59) years
old;

Section 4. ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS WEEK. - There shall be
An "Elder Abuse Awareness Wank which shall be celebrated
every Third Week of June to recognize and make people aware
of the abuses being committed against our Senior Citizens and
elderly members of our family.

SECTION 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. ~ Within
ninety (90) days from the approval of this Act, the DSWD shall
promulgate the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of
this Act.

SECTION 6. Separability Clause. - lf any section or provision of
this Act is held unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or
provisions shall not be affected.

Section 7. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect within fifteen
(15) days after publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2)
national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,

GODOFREDO V. ARQUIZA