TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
Senate Bill No. 1197
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25 AUG 14 P5 :48
RECEIVED BY:
Introduced by Senator Juan Miguel "Migz" F. Zubiri
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE GERIATRIC MEDICAL CENTER, 
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE SENIOR CITIZENS' HOSPITAL, AND 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
In a 2025 report entitled Aging and Health in the Philippines, Wave 2 (LSAHP 
Wave 2) by the Longitudinal Study of Aging and Health in the Philippines (LSAHP) 
project, it was stated that due to the recent sharp decline in fertility rates and increased 
life expectancy, the Philippines is projected to evolve into an ageing society by the year 
2030. An ageing society has been classified by the United Nations as one where the 
population of people over 60 years old comprises more than ten percent (10%) of the 
total population or where the population of people over 65 years old constitutes more 
than seven percent (7%) of the total population.
The same report, which is a product of the collaboration project of the 
Demographic Research and Development Foundation, In., the UP Population Institute, 
the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia, and the Japanese 
government's Asia Health and Wellbeing Initiative, also bares insight into the most 
commonly reported illnesses of older Filipinos, with the most common being high blood 
pressure, followed by cataracts; arthritis, neuralgia, or rheumatism; diabetes; renal or 
urinary tract infection; respiratory illnesses; and angina or myocardial infarction.
It is evident that older persons need better access to quality healthcare, and 
while this has already been partially addressed with the enactment of measures such as 
the Universal Healthcare Law and the mandatory PhilHealth coverage for all senior 
citizens, much can still be done. This demographic change that we are experiencing 
calls for efforts to ensure that better care is given to our ageing population.
As stated in Section 11, Article XIII of the 1987 Constitution, "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, elderly, disabled, women, and children. XXX"
This measure seeks to establish a tertiary specialty hospital for geriatrics to be 
known as the Philippine Geriatric Medical Center, or the Senior Citizens' Hospital that 
will specialize on the needs of our senior citizens.


In view of the foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought.
GUEL "MIGZ" F. ZUBIRI


Jennie
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TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
1197
25 AUG 14 P5-48
RECEIVED BY:
Senate Bill No.
Introduced by Senator Juan Miguel "Migz" F. Zubiri
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AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE GERIATRIC MEDICAL CENTER, 
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE SENIOR CITIZENS' HOSPITAL, 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 "Philippine Geriatric 
Medical Center Act" or the "Senior Citizens' Hospital Act."
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
protect and promote the right to health of older persons by ensuring that health 
services are available and accessible to them through the establishment of a tertiary 
specialty hospital that will cater to their medical needs.
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:
a) Geriatric health services refer to the medical services or intervention provided by 
a multi-disciplinary team usually headed by a Geriatrician;
b) Geriatrician refers to a medical doctor who has passed the necessary training 
and examination, and specializes in the field of Geriatrics;
c) Geriatrics refers to the sub-specialty of Internal Medicine that aims to promote 
health, and to prevent and treat disabilities of older adults;
d) Senior citizens or older persons refer to Filipino citizens who are at least sixty 
(60) years old.
SEC. 4. Establishment and the Location of the Philippine Geriatric Medical Center. - 
There shall be a tertiary specialty hospital for geriatrics in Metro Manila to be known as 
the Philippine Geriatric Medical Center (PGMC) or the Senior Citizens' Hospital. It shall 
be authorized to operate a two hundred (200) bed capacity hospital dedicated to senior 
citizens or older persons.
SEC. 5. Board of Trustees. - The PGMC shall be administered by a Board of 
Trustees, hereinafter referred to as the Board, to be composed of seven (7) members 
to be appointed by the President of the Philippines.


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The seven (7) appointive members of the Board of Trustees shali serve for a 
period of four (4) years and until their successors shall have been appointed and 
qualified. Any vacancy in the Board shall be filled by appointment by the President of 
the Philippines, and the appointee shall serve for the unexpired term. The Board of 
Trustees of the PGMC shall elect a Chairman from among themselves, who shall be the 
presiding officer of the Board of Trustees.
The Medical Director shali act as the Chief Executive Officer of the PGMC, with 
authority, among others, to appoint, remove, and fix the compensation of the personnei 
thereof, subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees.
Four (4) members of the Board of Trustees shall constitute a quorum to transact 
business and any decision of such 4 members on any matter duly presented to the 
Board of Trustees shall constitute a valid and binding act of the PGMC.
SEC. 6. Objectives. -The PGMC shall have the following objectives;
a) To construct, operate, administer and maintain an integrated medical institution, 
which shall specialize in geriatric health services;
b) To provide and maintain quality, affordable and timely hospital care which 
prioritizes the need of the elderly and the indigent citizens;
c) To assist in the education and training of geriatricians, nurses, health officers, 
social workers, and other medical and technical personnel in the practical and 
scientific implementation of health services to the older persons; and
d) To facilitate and encourage the dissemination of information on the prevention, 
treatment and control of age-related diseases.
SEC. 7. Powers. - For the attainment of the objectives, the PGMC, as a body 
corporate, acting through its Board of Trustees, shall have all the powers pertaining to 
a juridical person, and is therefore authorized, among other things:
a) To adopt a set of by-laws, rules and regulations not inconsistent with law and 
the provisions hereof to govern the administration and operation of the affairs of 
the PGMC;
b) Formulate and develop programs for the enhancement of healthcare services for 
older persons, including the training of PGMC geriatricians, resident doctors, 
nurses, health officers, social workers, and other medical and technical 
personnel;
c) Enter into such agreements and arrangements with other medical institutions, 
domestic or foreign as may be necessary, in attaining the objectives of PGMC;
d) To acquire and hold in any manner property of whatever nature or description, 
and to dispose of such property under any mode of encumbrance or conveyance;
e) To solicit and receive donations, endowments and funds in the form of 
contributions, whether in cash or in kind, from both the public and private 
sectors;


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f) To invite foreign geriatricians and similar experts in the various medical fields not 
available in the country in order to train the personnel or trainees or residents of 
PGMC;
g) To send the personnel of the PGMC to research institutes, medical institutes or 
universities for advance training or observation and to attend international or 
regional conventions, conferences, congresses, seminars as the Board may deem 
necessary to accomplish the objectives of the PGMC; and
h) To do all such other acts and things as may be necessary or incidental for the 
accomplishment of the objectives of the PGMC.
SEC. 8. Program for Indigents. -The Board shall ensure that the PGMC shall adopt 
and enforce a program for indigents. The number of beds allocated for the indigent 
patients shall not be less than fifty percent (50%) of the total number of hospital beds.
SEC. 9. Tax Exemptions. - Any donation, bequest and grant shall be exempt from 
donor's tax and the same shall be considered as allowable deduction from the gross 
income of the donor in accordance with the provisions of the National Internal Revenue 
Code of 1997, as amended.
The PGMC is hereby declared exempt from all income and all other internal 
revenue taxes, tariff, and customs duties and all other kinds of taxes, fees, charges, 
and amendments levied by the government and its political subdivisions, agencies, and 
instrumentalities.
SEC. 10. Assistance from Government Offices. - The PGMC may call upon any 
bureau, office, agency or instrumentality of the government, including government- 
owned or controlled corporations, for such assistance as it may need in the pursuit of 
its purposes and objectives.
All individuals, entities and institutions are hereby enjoined to render full 
assistance and cooperation to PGMC in the accomplishment of its objectives and 
activities.
SEC. 11. Auditing. - The books and accounts of the PGMC shall be under the 
charge of a Resident Auditor, subject to periodic auditing by the Chairman of the 
Commission on Audit, or his duly authorized representative.
SEC. 12. Annuai Report. - The PGMC shall render to the President of the 
Philippines an annual report of its activities and recommendations.
SEC. 13. Effect of Dissoiution. - If, for any reason, the PGMC is dissolved, its 
property remaining at the time of such dissolution shall revert to the Philippine 
Government for dissolution in accordance with law.
SEC. 14. Appropriations. -The Secretary of Health shall immediately include in the 
Department's programs the implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall be 
included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
SEC. 15. Impiementing Ruies and Reguiations. - Within sixty (60) days from the 
effectivity of this Act, the DOH, in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare 
and Development, and the Department of Budget and Management, shall promulgate 
such rules and regulations necessary for the effective implementation of this Act.


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SEC. 16. Separability Clause. - Should any provision or part of this Act be declared 
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions and parts hereof, insofar as they are 
separable from the invalid ones, shall remain in full force and effect.
SEC. 17. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, proclamations, rules and 
regulations, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, 
amended, or modified accordingly.
SEC. 18. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation.
Approved,