NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No. 1242
of il)i’
*22 AUG 31 A 9 *49
RECEIVED BY; /
Introduced by Senator Loren B. Legarda
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR GERIATRIC HEALTH AND 
RESEARCH INSTITUTE, DEFINING ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, 
CREATING REGIONAL GERIATRIC SPECIALTY CENTERS IN THE 
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH-RETAINED HOSPITALS, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The universal plan of action imder the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable 
Development calls for realizing the human rights of aU people and achieving 
sustainable development in a balanced marmer. It calls to ensure the attainment of 
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for aU segments of society, particularly the 
most vulnerable, including older persons.
In view of their being repositories of social traditions, guardians of culture, and 
sources of historical memory that can vitally complement those of yoxmg people, older 
persons must be acknowledged as active agents of societal development to attain 
inclusive, transformative, and sustainable development outcomes. Accordingly, their 
rights and welfare should be sufficiently addressed.
Poor health and lack of access to health care are considered significant threats 
to the well-being of older persons. The improvement of their health, lower mortality, 
and greater longevity should be prioritized as these reflect success in human 
development.


The Philippine Statistics Authority disclosed that as of May 2020, there were 
12,336,355 FiHpinos aged 60 years old and above, which constitutes 11.31 percent 
(11.31%) of the country's total population.1
In a policy brief released by the United Nations (UN) in 2020 on the impact of 
COVID-19 on older persons, senior citizens are considered to have a significantly 
higher risk of mortahty and severe disease following infection of the virus that causes 
COVID-19. Furthermore, the Department of Health (DOH) reported that there is a 
shortage of skilled geriatric providers and the unavailability of geriatric wards in the 
country.
In this hght, this bill seeks to create a National Center for Geriatric Health and 
Research Institute (NCGHRI) or a specialty hospital that wiU protect and promote the 
welfare of the elderly population in view of making quality health care for older 
people accessible and affordable.
Under the proposed measure, NCGHRI shall allocate beds for non-paying 
patients, which shall not be less than seventy percent (70%) of the total number of 
hospital beds to accommodate those with little to no financial means. Furthermore, 
Geriatric Specialty Centers shall be established in DOH regional hospitals, which shall 
serve as apex or end-referral hospitals of the health care provider networks and 
training and research fadHties on geriatric specialty care services.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
EN LEGARDA
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1497408/ph-senior-citizens-in-a-time-of-panderaic


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE
S. No. 1242
of t!)p ^ l et.n-p
•22 AUG 31 A9 50
RtCEIVEDBV
Introduced by Senator Loren B. Legarda
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR GERIATRIC HEALTH AND 
RESEARCH INSTITUTE, DEFINING ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, 
CREATING REGIONAL GERIATRIC SPECIALTY CENTERS IN THE 
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH-RETAINED HOSPITALS, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Representatives of the Republic of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title, - This Act shall be known as the "Geriatric Health Act."
2 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to protect and promote
3 
the right to health of senior citizens aU over the country by ensuring that holistic health
4 
services are available and accessible to them through the establishment of a
5 
specialized hospital and research institute as well as geriatric specialty centers in the
6 
Department of Health (DOH) - retained hospitals in every region,
7 
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:
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a. Acute care refers to a specialized program that addresses the needs of
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hospitalized older adults in a multidisciplinary team approach to prevent
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functional and cognitive dechne and to improve outcomes;
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b. Apex or end-referral hospital refers to a hospital offering specialized services
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as determined by DOH, which is contracted as a stand-alone facility by the
13 
Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhQHealth);
14 
c. Geriatric health services refer to the medical services or interventions
15 
provided by a multidisciplinary team to older adult patients;


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d. Geriatric medicine or Geriatrics refers to the sub-specialty of mtemal and 
family medicine that diagnoses and treats a wide range of conditions and 
diseases that affect people as they age and aims to promote health and treat 
disabilities of older adults;
e. Geriatric palliative care refers to a specialized medical care that focuses on 
providing elderly patients relief from pain and other symptoms of a serious 
illness, regardless of diagnosis or stage of disease, and is provided 
alongside curative and other forms of treatment. It is a field of inter­
specialty collaboration to respond to the socio-demographic changes and 
challenges of older adults with severe and life-limiting conditions;
f. Geriatric specialty center refers to a unit or department in a DOH-retained 
hospital that offers specialized care to the aging population, particularly to 
frail older persons, addressing their particular conditions and providing 
specific procedures and management of cases, requiring specialized 
training and/or equipment;
g. Geriatrician refers to a medical doctor who has passed the necessary 
training and specialty licensure examination for the practice of Geriatric 
Medicine;
h. Gerontology refers to the study of the biological, psychological, spiritual, 
social, economic, and demographic aspects of the aging process;
i. Home-hased healthcare and reahlement program refers to a commimity-based 
service that primarily caters to the frail older persons who have lost or are 
experiencing problems with mobility;
j. Integrated delivery of geriatric health services refers to hospital and 
commiuiity-based medical and psycho-social services provided to senior 
citizens by a multidisciplinary team;
k. Multi-disciplinary team refers to a team composed of health professionals 
headed by a geriatrician and includes surgeons, organ-system specialists, 
muses, clinical pharmacists, rehabilitation therapists, nutritionists, 
dentists, social workers, caregivers, family members, and patients 
themselves;


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1. People-cen tered service refers to an approach to geriatric care that consciously
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adopts the perspectives of individuals, families, and communities, and sees
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them as participants as well as beneficiaries of trusted health systems that
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respond to their needs and preferences in holistic and humane ways;
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m. Senior citizen refers to an elderly FiHpino who is at least sixty (60) years old;
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n. Sub-acute care refers to care for patients who no longer require
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hospitalization, but still need skilled medical care through rehabilitative
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medicine. Sub-acute rehabihtation is recommended when a patient is not
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functionally able to return home; and,
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o. Transitional care refers to a form of health care in geriatric medicine
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designed to ensure coordination and continuity of care as patients transfer
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between different locations or different levels of care, and the safe and
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effective management of both chronic and acute illness in older adults.
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Sec. 4. National Center for Geriatric Health and Research Institute. - The National
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Center for Geriatric Health (NCGH) is hereby classified as a teaching, research, and
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training hospital that shall specialize in geriatric care and serve as an apex hospital or
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end-referral facility for senior citizens in the country. The NCGH shall be renamed as
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the National Center for Geriatric Health and Research Institute (NCGHRI) and shall
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be under the direct control and supervision of the DOH.
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The bed capacity, service capabilities, healthcare fadHties, expansion,
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organizational structure, and human resource requirements of the NCGHRI shall be
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based on the hospital and human resource development plan to be prepared by the
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NCGHRI and approved by the DOH.
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Sec. 5. Powers and Functions. - To carry out the provisions of this Act, the
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NCGHRI shall have the following powers and functions:
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a. Serve as an apex hospital or end-referral fadhty which shall specialize in
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geriatric health services;
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b. Formulate a hospital development plan which shall be regularly updated to
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reflect the expansion and future development of the NCGHRI;
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c. Provide and maintain affordable, quahty, and timely people-centered hospital
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care through an effident health service delivery system for senior dtizens;


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d. Provide higher and up-to-date geriatric training for professionals,
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postgraduates, academics, and allied healthcare providers, especially from the
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geriatric specialty centers in the regions and LGUs, and other government
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hospitals;
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e. Develop and implement cutting-edge research studies on diseases related to
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old age to translate research outcomes into poHcy and specialized health care
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solutions, and publish research studies that shall serve as a critical information
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resource for the medical and research community, in coordination with the
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Philippine Council on Health Research and Development (PCHRD) and the
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Institute on Aging of the National Institutes of Health (lA-NIH);
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f. Conduct and participate in international and local gerontological research
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activities;
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g. Provide consultancy service and technical assistance in the setting of standards
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for geriatric wards in every tertiary level hospital, nursing home, and
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residential center catering to the health and functioning needs of senior
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citizens, in coordination with the PCHRD and the lA-NIH;
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h. Develop and maintain a core information hub on geriatrics and gerontological
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studies in coordination with the lA-NIH and concerned offices in the DOH and
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its attached agencies, such as the Disease Prevention and Control Bureau and
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the Knowledge Management and Information Technology Service;
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i. Extend medical services to senior citizens pursuant to the goals, objectives, and
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rules of the National Health Insurance Program and in accordance with
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Republic Act No. 11223, otherwise known as the "Universal Health Care Act";
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j. Provide an integrated and effective approach in the delivery of geriatric health
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services in collaboration with other government agencies, local government
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imits (LGUs), and other stakeholders;
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k. Conduct specialty training and technical assistance in collaboration with
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concerned DOH offices and other relevant professional organizations;
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1. Finance, sponsor, hold, or participate in congresses, conventions, conferences,
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seminars, workshops, and training programs on geriatric health services or
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related fields in the Philippines and abroad; and
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m. Establish a standardized referral system for psychosocial services.


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Sec. 6. Scope of Services. - The NCGHRI shall provide the following services:
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a. Hospital-based services to ensure the availability of medical facilities and
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equipment for senior citizens needing acute and sub-acute care, geriatric
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paUiative care, transitional and outpatient care services, and such other
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necessary services;
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b. Community-based services utQizing multidisciplinary team approaches
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such as home-based healthcare and reablement programs, research and
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external resource outsourcing for community-based integrated geriatric
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health services, and training necessary for the psycho-social functioning of
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senior citizens and their famihes, in coordination with LGUs;
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c. Technical assistance and capacity building in the establishment and
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maintenance of nursing homes and residential care facilities and senior
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citizens' wards in government hospitals pursuant to Republic Act No. 9994,
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otherwise known as the "Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010";
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d. Technical assistance and capacity building in the establishment of geriatric
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specialty centers and services to strengthen the network of geriatric care
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service providers across the coimtry and ensure the delivery of quality
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health services for senior citizens;
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e. Education programs and scholarships to pursue excellence and the highest
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level of quality in the practice of the specialized field of geriatrics and other
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related fields, including postgraduate training and short-term courses for
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medical doctors and other allied medical health professions, in coordination
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with the lA-NIH; and
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f. Education programs in geriatrics and gerontology subjects in
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undergraduate health and allied professions, including training of
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students, as well as postgraduate medical education of physicians, nurses,
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alhed professionals, pharmacists, dentists, and social workers.
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The Geriatric Specialty Fellowship Training Program of the NCGHRI shaU seek
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and maintain full accreditation status in the Philippine College of Geriatric Medicine.
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The NCGHRI shall ensure the accessibility of all its programs and services and
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take into consideration the special needs of senior citizens with disabilities.


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Sec. 7. Organizational Structure and Staffing Pattern. - The Secretary of the DOH
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shall determine the organizational structure and staffing pattern of the NCGHRI in
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accordance with the revised compensation and position classification system subject
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to the evaluation and approval of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM)
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and in compliance with the civil service laws, rules and regulations.
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Sec. 8. Establishmen t of Geriatric Special ty Cen ters. - Geriatric specialty centers are
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hereby estabHshed in DOH regional hospitals, which shall serve as apex or end-
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referral hospitals of the healthcare provider networks and training and research
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facilities on geriatric specialty care services. Geriatric health services shall be available
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in all government primary health facilities.
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The level of geriatric services and corresponding facilities in specialty centers
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and their respective health human resource requirements shall be determined by the
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DOH, in coordination with NCGHRI and other stakeholders: Provided, That the
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standards to be adopted thereon shall be consistent with the PhiHppine Health Facihty
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Development Plan and Section 6 of this Act.
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Sec. 9. Categorization of Patients. - The DOH shall ensure that the NCGHRI shall
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adopt and enforce a categorization of paying and non-paying patients. The allocation
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of beds for non-paying patients shall be not less than seventy percent (70 %) of the total
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number of hospital beds.
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Sec. 10. Income Retention. - AU income generated from the operations of the
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NCGHRI shall be deposited in an authorized government depository bank and shall
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be used to augment the funds allocated for its maintenance, other operating expenses,
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and capital outlay requirements, subject to the guidelines set by the DOH and the
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DBM.
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Sec. 11. Privilege. - The NCGHRI may request and receive assistance from the
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different agencies, bureaus, offices, or instrumentalities of the government, including
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the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and Phitippine Amusement and Gaming
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Corporation, in pursuit of its purposes and objectives.
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Sec. 12. Tax Exemptions. - AU donations, endowments, contributions, grants,
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and bequests used actuaUy, directly, and exclusively for and in accordance with the
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purposes and functions of the NCGHRI shaU be exempt from donor's tax, and the
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same shaU be considered as aUowable deductions from gross income for purposes of


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computing the taxable income of the donor, in accordance with the provisions of the
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National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended.
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The NCGHRI shall be exempt from income tax and customs duty levied by the
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government and its poHtical subdivisions, agencies, and instrumentalities subject to
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the provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended and
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Repubhc Act No. 10863, otherwise known as the "Customs Modernization and Tariff
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Act."
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The NCGHRI shall avail of the tax expenditure subsidy administered by the
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Fiscal Incentives Review Board (FIRB), subject to the provisions of Title Xni (Tax
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Incentives) of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended. Executive
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Order No. 93, and the General Appropriations Act.
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Sec. 13. Coordination with and Assistance from Other Government Agencies. - The
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NCGHRI shaU collaborate with the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC)
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in the development of its programs and services. It may likewise call upon any
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department, bureau, office, agency, or instrumentaHty of the government for
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assistance in the pursuit of the purposes and objectives of this Act.
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Sec. 14. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the implementation of this
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Act shaU be charged against the current year's appropriation of the DOH. Thereafter,
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the funding of which shaU be included in the amiual General Appropriations Act.
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Sec. 15. Annual Report. - The NCGHRI shaU submit an annual report to the
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President of the PhiUppines, the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, the
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House of Representatives Committee on Health, and the NCSC, on its activities,
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accomplishments, and recommendations to further improve the deUvery of geriatric
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health services.
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Sec. 16. Transitory Provisions. - In accomplishing organizational changes and
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improvements that have to be implemented, the following transitory provisions shaU
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be compUed with:
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a. The National Center for Geriatric Health (NCGH), currently under the Jose R.
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Reyes Memorial Medical Center (JRRMMC), shall be absorbed by NCGHRI,
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including its existing personnel, regardless of status, and aU buddings and
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equipment, fixtures and furnishings, other assets and UabUities, and current
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appropriations;


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b. The independence of the NCGHRI from the JRRMMC shall be fully realized
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within two (2) years. The DOH shall ensure that no disruption of service will
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occur during this transitory period;
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. c. The existing officials and employees of NCGH shall continue to assume the
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duties of their positions until new appointments are issued. They shall be
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placed in the new staffing pattern of the NCGHRI in accordance with R. A. No.
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6656, entitled "An Act to Protect the Security of Tenure of Civil Service Officers
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and Employees in the Implementation of Government Reorganization," and
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the rules and regulations governing reorganization. Officials and employees,
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including casual and temporary employees, who shall not be absorbed in the
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new staffing pattern due to redimdancy shall avail of the applicable retirement
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benefits and separation incentives as provided imder existing laws: Provided,
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Hiat officials and employees holding permanent appointments shall also be
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given the option to be transferred to other units or offices within the DOH
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without reduction in rank, status, pay, and benefits;
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d. Research grants acquired by the NCGHRI during the transition shall be utilized
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solely for their intended purposes and of the affected units or offices; and
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e. Existing contracts and agreements entered into with third parties prior to the
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enactment of this Act shall remain valid.
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Sec. 17. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Secretary of Health shall, in
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consultation with the Secretary of Budget and Management, Secretary of Social
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Welfare and Development, and the Chairperson of the NCSC, promulgate rules and
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regulations for the effective implementation of this Act within ninety (90) days after
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its effectivity.
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Sec. 18. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act is held invalid
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or unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain in full
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force and effect.
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Sec. 19. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations, and
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other issuances or parts thereof, which are contrary to or inconsistent with this Act are
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hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.


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Sec. 20. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circxilation.
Approved,