Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE 0F REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
HouseBillNo.10290
Introduced by Representative Midy N. Cua
Lone District, Quirino
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AN ACT
HSTABLISHING A sENloR WHLLNESS CENTER IN TIIn pRovINCE oF QumlNo
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article XV, See. 4 of the 1987 Constitution provides, "The family has the duty to care for its
elderly members but the State may also do so through just programs of social security."
Senior  citizens  are  considered  a  vulnerable  sector  in  Philippine  society.  According  to  the
Philippine  Institute  of Development  Studies  (PIDS),  around  13.2%  of the  senior citizen population
were  classified  as  income  poor and  4.3%  were  considered  food poor.  It has  also  been  previously
reported by the Commission on Population and Development (Popcom) that almost half of the over
nine million elderly population in the country are still wondng and yet can hardly make ends meet.
Most Filipino elderly are unhealthy and not seeking medical consultation due to financial reasons.
Another study by the  PIDS  shows that in 2020, only 5.3% of senior citizens are receiving
pension from the GSIS,  19.9% are  SSS  pensioners, while 37.9% receive pension from the DSWD's
Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens (SPISC) program. This means that close to two fifths or
36.9% of Filipino senior citizens do not receive any pension at all. Additionally, beneficiaries of the
SPISC  program are only receiving a monthly stipend of P500.  These pension benefits are also not
indexed to inflation which has recently shot up to 5.1%.
While the Constitution provides that the family is primarily responsible for the care of the
elderly,  a  study  by the  Coalition  of Services  of the  Elderly  (COSE)  shows that  in  reality,  children
constitute the main source of income only for a minority of the elderly, and that many Filipinos either
rely on  their measly  pension  for  survival  or through  some  sort of economic  activity even  at their
advanced age. It further shows that the extent of support the family can give to its elderly is limited by
a broad variety of competing priorities such that in many cases, economic dependence has created
tension, anxieties, and disempowerment among the elderly. Meanwhile, many senior citizens simply
have no family whom they can rely for support.
The Commission on Human Rights (CITR) also claims that the abuse, violence, and neglect
faced by older people remains an invisible issue. There is little data available on elder abuse due to
underreporting. However, an older study in 2004 conducted among urban poor communities in 2004
found that around 40% of older persons respondents have personally experienced abuse ranging from
physical and verbal abuse, ridicule and discrimination, and negligence, with verbal abuse ranking as


the most common type of abuse faced by older persons. The CHR pointed out that the invisibility of
older persons in the justice system manifests in the lack of awareness of their legal rights, fear to
report abuses, and the lack of legal remedies, among others.
It is against these present-day realities that the State must intervene to ensure that its elderly is
taken care of and that their human rights are protected. This bill seeks to contribute in addressing the
gaps  in our  social  protection  system  by  establishing a wellness  for the  elderly  in the  Province  of
Quirino. After years of contributing to national productivity, the establishment of a wellness shelter
will  ensure  that  Filipino  senior  citizens  will  have  a  place  where  they  can  live  with  dignity  and
security.  Apart  from  providing  living  accommodations  and  healthcare  specific  to  its  residents'
geriatric  needs,  the  wellness  shelter  will  also  provide  a  sense  of  community  which  is  vital  in
maintaining the physical, psychological, and mental well-being of the elderly.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has already manifested his recognition of senior citizens as
important in national development through the Expanded Centenarians Act, which grants monetary
benefits to  octogenarians  and nonagenarians.  The  law  is  seen  as  a homage to the Filipino trait of
compassion, and in the Philippine culture, this shows more kindness and compassion to the elderly.
As the country continues to strive for sustainable and inclusive growth, the elderly should not
be left out of the equation.
In view of the foregoing, approval of this measure is earnestly soucht.
2


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
HouseBillNo.   10290
Introduced by Representative Midy N. Cua
Lone District, Quirino
AN ACT
ESTABLISIIING A SENIOR WELLNESS CHNTER IN TIIE PROVINCE 0F QUIRIN0
Be it enacted by the Senate and House Of Rapresentatives Of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
1       SHCTI0N 1. DecJara/I.o7. a/Pch.ey. -It is hereby declared the policy of the state to provide adequate
2       care  and  protection  to  our elderly  persons  and  senior citizens,  and to  ensure  that their welfare  are
3       adequately considered and prioritized in the implementation of projects, programs and social services
4       ofthegovemment.
5
6       SE:C. 2. Establishment of the Quirino senior wellness center. -The Quinmo senior we+iness center
7       is  hereby  established  under  the  control  and  supervision  of the  Department  of Social  Welfare  and
8       Development (DSWD). It shall set the policies and guidelines for the qualification of residents.
9
10                      The Department of public works and Hichways (DPWH), in coordination with the  DSWD,
11        shall identify the location of the wellness center and undertake its construction.
12
13        SEC. 3. Fzf77c7Z77g. -The budgetary allocation needed to cany out the provisions of this Act is hereby
14       authorized to be  included  in the  General  Appropriations Act of the year  immediately following  its
15       enactment into law.
16
17       SEC. 4. Repecz/i.#g c/arse. -All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof,
18       which are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
19
20       SEC. 5. Ejffec/;.vj.ty. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication  in the  Qorcz.c]/
21       Gczze/fe or in a newspaper of general circulation.
22
2 3                      Approved`
3