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

18™ CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL no. °°°2

Introduced by Representative CARLITO S. MARQUEZ

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks the establishment of the Aklan Geriatric
Medical Center (AGMC) to cater the primary and special medical
needs of the elderly in the Province of Aklan.

Although it is mandated that all senior citizens are covered
by Philhealth through Republic Act No. 10645, also known as the
Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, it is high time to
institutionalize centers exclusive for the elderly to address health-
related concerns. These concerns downplay the role of the elderly
in nation-building. Based on the 2015 Population Census, there
are 575,000 people in Aklan and accounts 6.3% of the age group
above 65 years old.

Article XIII, Section 11 states that, to wit: “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 underprivileged sick,

1


elderly, disabled, women, and children. The State shall endeavor to
provide free medical care to paupers.”

In order to provide an integrated and comprehensive
approach to the health development of the elderly, it is imperative
that such government medical facility be established. Vulnerable
sectors such as the elderly, or senior citizens, need special care
and management and that it should no longer be viewed in
isolation. This is to emphasize that there are rising health needs

to address concerning the said sector.

An aging population tends to have a higher prevalence of
chronic diseases, physical distress, mental illnesses, and frailty.
The aged body is physiologically different from the younger adult
body, with age-related decline of various organ systems occurring.
Furthermore, older adults will likely develop at least one chronic
medical condition.

Not only do we recognize their health concerns, the elderly
has had contributed their taxes when they were stronger. This will
give them full range of health care services they deserve such as

primary care, wellness services, and behavioral health care.

As a primary and special healthcare facility, AGMC is
dedicated to the care of the elderly in which it aims to:

a. Administer and operate an integrated medical facility
specializing in services for geriatrics medicine;


b. Promote medical, scientific research and training relative
to the diagnosis, care, treatment, and rehabilitation of
disease of older persons;

c. Establish a center for research and development in the
fields of geriatrics medicine;

d. Develop, adopt, and implement programs in Geriatric
Medicine for education and training of physicians, nurses,
health officers, social workers, and other medical
healthcare providers in the practical and scientific
implementation of health services and programs for older
persons; and

e. Create and support an environment that encourages
holistic approach to geriatrics healthcare which shall
foster and promote productive aging.

Immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

bp. Av

ENGR. CARLITO “Lito” MARQUEZ Oy


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

18™= CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL no. 3°52

Introduced by Representatives CARLITO S. MARQUEZ

_ESTABLISHING THE reas eegeree MEDICAL CENTER
IN THE PROVINCE OF AKLAN

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

SECTION 1. The Aklan Geriatric Medical Center (AGMC) is
hereby established.

Sec. 2. The seat of AGMC shall be at Kalibo, Aklan.

Sec. 3. The Department of Health (DOH), in coordination
with the Civil Service Commission, Department of Budget and
Management and DOH Regional Health Office VI, shall promulgate
the organizational plan and staffing pattern of the said specialty
medical center.

Sec. 4. The Secretary of Health shall immediately include in

the Department’s programs the operationalization of the AGMC for


a period of not more than five (5) years, the initial funding thereof.
Thereafter, the amount necessary for its continued operation shall
be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

Sec. 5. The DOH, through its Regional Health Office VI
Director and the Medical Center Chief, in coordination with
concerned national and local government units, shall also prepare
the mechanisms for sourcing supplementary funds to augment the
operations of the AGMC.

‘ Sec. 6. All laws, executive orders, issuances, rules and
regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly.

Sec. 7. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after tis
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general
circulation.

Approved.