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

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

iv
HOUSE BILL NO. 5157

Introduced by HON, RENE L. RELAMPAGOS
First District, Bohol

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Based on the World Health Organization’s Global Database on aging line,
the Philippines will continuously witness over the next 30 years a sharp increase
of number of persons aged 60 and above. It is estimated that of the country's
more than 96 million population, 6.1 percent is over the age of 60, or 5.1 million,
of whom at least more than 1 million are classified as indigents. This will expand
to 15.3 percent by 2050. Meanwhile, the current 80-and-above population of 0.5
percent will increase to 2.2 percent by 2050.

As the Philippine population ages, more older people will be needing
medical care and financial security. Studies revealed that one of the most
neglected sectors in our society is the elderly, While it is true that in the
Philippines, and as affirmed under Section 4 Article XV of the 1987 Constitution,
it is the family’s responsibility to take care of their elders, not all Filipino families
are capable of looking after their parents or grandparents due to lack of financial
capacity. In fact, hundreds of them, perhaps more, have been abandoned by their
children when they reached the age of sickness, weakness and dependence.

This is time for the state to intervene and establish eldercare centers to
survive. However, only a few individuals are being served by state-run elderly
homes. At present, there are only three (3) government-led centers established
nationwide, namely: Golden Acres in Quezon City (NCR); Haven for Elderly
located in Tanay, Rizal (Region 4A); Home for Elderly in Talon-Talon,
Zamboanga City (Region 9) and Home for the Aged in Tagum City, Davao del
Norte (Region 11). Although there are a couple of private nursing homes for the
elderly in the Philippines, they are becoming more expensive and inaccessible to



many Filipinos. For instance, the total average cost per month for one elderly
patient is PHP 30,000.00.

Eldercare services, indeed, are vital in maintaining the quality of lives of
our elders. This calls for the need to initiate some reforms for the improvement of
the country’s social services in order to address the needs of our rapidly aging

population.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is sought.

Kops
wf RELAMPAGOS


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS,
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 5157

Introduced by HON. RENE L. RELAMPAGOS
First District, Bohol

“AN ACT ESTABLISHING ELDER HOMES IN EVERY REGION OF
THE PHILIPPINES, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR”

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

SECTION 1, Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Eldercare
Homes in the Philippines Act”.

SECTION 2. It is hereby declared the policy of the state to provide an
improved quality of life for all, give priority on health and social services to the
elderly and to design programs on social security for them.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. — For purposes of this Act, the
following terms are hereby defined as follows:

(a) Senior citizen shall refer to any person who is at least sixty (60) years
of age.

(b) Eldercare home refers to the nursing home established under this Act,
for people who, as determined by a local social worker, require continual
nursing care and have significant difficulty coping with the required
activities of daily living.

(c) Elderly care or simply, eldereare, refers to the fulfillment of the special
needs and requirements unique to senior citizens. This includes but not
limited to, services such as assisted living, adult day care, long-term care,
nursing homes, hospice care, and home care.

(d) Department shall refer to the Department of Social Welfare and
Development (DSWD).


SECTION 4. Establishment of Eldercare Homes. — The Department
shall, in partnership with the local government unit concerned and/or the private
sector, establish at least one eldercare home, in each region of the country.
Provided that existing eldercare homes under the Department shall be recognized
as such under this Act.

SECTION 5. Functions of the Eldercare Homes. — Eldercare homes shall
carry out the following functions:

(a) Provide care to all senior citizens living in the eldercare home;

(b) Identify the needs, trainings, and opportunities of senior citizens in the
cities and municipalities;

(b) Initiate, develop and implement productive activities for senior citizens
to enhance their wellbeing and self-worth.

(c) Promote and maintain linkages with provincial government units and
other instrumentalities of government and the city and municipal councils
for the elderly and the Federation of Senior Citizens Association of the
Philippines and other non-government organizations for the delivery of
health care services, facilities, professional advice services, volunteer
training and community self-help projects; and

(d) Exercise such other functions which are necessary to carry out the
purpose for which the elder homes are established.

(c) Perform other functions as may hereafter be provided.

SECTION 6. Qualifications. — Abandoned, neglected, abused and
indigent senior citizens, as certified by the local social worker, shall be given
priority for acceptance in the eldercare homes. Other senior citizens who may
wish to enter an eldercare home shalll be considered subject to the guidelines as
may be provided under the Implementing Rules and Regulations.

SECTION 7. Disqualification. — A senior citizen who suffers from a
contagious disease, or who is mentally unfit or unsound or whose actuations are
inimical to other senior citizens as determined by the Department on the basis of
an appropriate certification by a qualified government or private volunteer
physician, may be denied the benefits provided in the eldercare home. However,
the eldercare home shall refer the senior citizen concerned to the appropriate
government agency for the appropriate medical care.

SECTION 8. Eldercare Home Workers. — The Secretary of the
Department may designate social workers from the Department in the eldereare
homes: Provided, however, That the Secretary may appoint other personnel who
possess the necessary professional qualifications to work efficiently with the
elderly of the community.



The Secretary may also call upon the Department of Health (DOH) for
health personnel as well as private workers and volunteers who are responsible
members of the community to provide medical, educational and other services
and facilities for the senior citizens.

SECTION 9. Exemptions of the Eldercare Home. — The eldercare home
shall be exempted from the payment of customs duties, taxes and tariffs on the
importation of equipment and supplies used actually, directly and exclusively by
the eldercare home pursuant to this Act, including those donated to the eldercare
home.

SECTION 10. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60)
days from the approval of this Act, the Department, in coordination with DOH,
Department of Interior and Local Government and other government agencies
concerned, shall issue the rules and regulations to effectively implement the
provisions of this Act. Any violation of this section shall render the concerned
official(s) liable under Republic Act No. 6713, otherwise known as the "Code of
Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees" and other
existing administrative and/or criminal laws.

SECTION 11. Coordination of Government Agencies. — The Department
shall maintain general supervision of the eldercare homes but may coordinate
with the DOH and other government agencies, local government units and
private organizations, if applicable, in the effective implementation of this Act
and provide the necessary support services.

SECTION 12. Appropriations, — The amount necessary to carry out the
provisions of this Act shall be included in the General Appropriations Act of the
year following its enactment into law and every year thereafter.

The sum necessary for the continuous operation of the centers shall be
subsidized in part by the Department and in part by the local government units
concerned.

SECTION 13. Repealing or Amending Clause. — All laws, decrees,
executive orders, and rules and regulations, which are not consistent with this
Act, are hereby modified, amended or repealed accordingly.

SECTION 14. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,