FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Third Regular Session 
SENATE 
S. No. 
3520 
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} 
) 
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Article XV, Section 1 of the 1987 Constitution provides that the State recognizes the 
Filipino family as the foundation of nation. Accordingly, it shall strengthen its solidarity and 
actively promote its total development. Moreover, Article XV, Section 4 of said Constitution 
provides that the family has the duty to care for its elderly members but the Stale may also do 
so through just programs of social security. As such, it is our duty as a nation to protect and 
promote the welfare of the aging popul<1l:ion in our country. 
According to the National Statistics Office, the total number of Senior Citizens (60 years 
old and above) is 4,565,560 as of 2009. This number comprises 5.97 % of the total Philippine 
population. However, current realities in .. our country have began to challenge the capacity of our 
traditional families to care and promote the welfare of our aging population. Data indicate that 
one in every 20 elderly in our country is a victim of neglect or physical or psychological abuse 
this year. As elders become more physically frail, they are less able to stand up to bullying or to 
fight back if attacked. 
Today, there are elderly in our community without any means of support and 
sustenance, living the life of quiet desperation. They may have been left without any family 
members to depend on. Many have been frowned upon by circumstances and have been left 
with no financial means. They may have been disabled by disease or accidents. Indigent, sick 
and alone, many of the elderly are weak and vulnerable as they stand today . 
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This proposed measure seeks to establish the Institute for Aging. The Institute shall be 
established as an attached agency of the Department of Social Welfare and Development 
(DSWD) whose purpose is to advance the scientific understanding and knowledge on the 
phenomenon of aging and to help alleviate the social and wellbeing of the elderly sector in our 
society through research, informatioll, education and advocacy. The Institute shall help 
contribute to the scholarly and social understanding of the human condition on the phenomenon 
of aging in our country, 
In recognition of the well-entrenched Filipino practice of taking care of the senior 
members of society, the early passage of this measure is eamestly sought::,' _"""''''''''-'' 


FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF TH'E REPUBLIC 
) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
Third Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S. No. ,3520 
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN INSTITUTE FOR AGING, 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress Assembled: 
.' 
, 
SECTION 
1. 
Short Title.-
This Act shall be known as the 
"Institute for Aging Act of 2009;" 
SEC. 2. 
Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared policy of the 
State to be cognizant of the concerns and issues faced by the aging population in 
our country, As such, the State shall protect the welfare of the elderly and 
promote holistic research, information drive and comprehensive data banking in 
order to mainstream and sensitize the general public on the need to respond to 
the concerns of the elderly sector, in our society, 
SEC. 3. 
Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act the term 
"elderly" refers to any male or female, 60 years old and above, 
SEC. 4. 
Establishmen,t of an Institute for the Elderly. - There is 
hereby established an institute for the elderly to be named "Institute for Aging", 
hereinafter referred to as the "Institute", which shall conduct comprehensive 
research, education and training opportunities to the elderly sector in our society, 
The Institute shall be established as an attached agency of the Department 
of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), It shall advance the scientific 
understanding and knowledge on aging and help alleviate the social and 
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, . 
wellbeing of the elderly sector through research, information, education and 
advocacy. 
The objective of the Institute is to contribute to the scholarly and social 
understanding of the human condition on the phenomenon of aging in our 
society. 
Towards this end, the Institute shall perform the following functions: 
1. 
To facilitate and support interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary and 
international research and training activities to advance our knowledge and 
understanding on the issues concerning aging and the elderly sector in our 
society; 
2. 
To disseminate scientifically validated and verified educational 
resources on the issues concerning aging and the elderly sector in our society; 
3. 
To raise the awareness on issues of public concern related to aging 
and the elderly sector in our society; 
4. 
To provide a forum and venue for researchers, professionals, policy 
makers, health providers, local government officials and various stakehOlders to 
exchange information and knowledge concerning the issues on aging in our 
country; 
5. 
To provide forum for discussion of educational 
and modern 
techniques and methods in relation to addressing the problems faced by the 
elderly population in our country; 
6. 
To promote a continuing information, education and communication 
, 
(IEC) campaigns in order to sensitized the general public on the needs and 
concerns of the aging population jn our country; 
7. 
To publish and disseminate information, education, communication 
and training materials concerning issues on aging in our country; and 
8. 
To perform such other functions as mandated for under this Act. 
SEC. 5. 
Information, . Education 
and 
Communication 
(lEC) 
Campaign on Aging in our Country. - The Institute, in coordination with the 
Department of Education (DepEd) and Philippine Information Agency (PIA), shall 
conduct a year-round information, education and communication (IEC) campaign 
to inform and educate policy makers, health providers, care givers and various 
stakeholders involved in providing health intervention programs for the elderly. 
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Among the activities and programs to be undertaken in the IEC Campaign 
shall include the following: 
1. 
The Institute shall provide scholarly information on issues related to 
aging and the elderly sector: 
2. 
The Institute shall publish additional resources which will include 
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series of topical articles on aging, educational materials and educational posters. 
The Institute shall also provide translations into various local language and easy-
to-print formats to inform the general of the advocacies and concerns of the 
elderly population in our country. ' 
SEC. 6. 
Annual Conference on Aging. -
The 
Institute, 
in 
coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd) and Philippine 
Information Agency (PIA), is hereby mandated to conduct an Annual National 
Conference on Aging which will be partiCipated by policy makers, researchers, 
health providers, local government officials and experts in the field of aging, 
demographics and social science in order to promote awareness and information 
exchange on the issues concerning aging and the elderly sector. 
The Annual National Conference on Aging is envisioned to be an avenue 
where experts of various academic disciplines will share their knowledge on the 
issues faced by the elderly sector. 
The annual conference will discuss and review the various research and 
development efforts of various multidisciplinary institutions. The proceedings 
shall be published and be made available to the public. 
SEC. 7. 
Appropriations. - The amount necessary to implement the 
provisions of this Act shall be incorporated in the annual general appropriations 
of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). 
SEC. 8 
Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) 
days from the date of effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of Department of Social 
Welfare and Development (DSWD), in coordination with the Department of 
Education (DepEd), shall 
promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to 
ensure the effective implementation of the provisions of this Act. 
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SEC. 9. 
Separability Clause. - If for any reason any provision of this 
Act is declared unconstitutional or invalid, such parts not affected thereby shall 
remain in full force and effect. 
SEC. 10. 
Repealing Clause. - All laws, orders, decrees, rules and 
regulations or part thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
repealed, modified or amended a~cordingly. 
SEC. 11. 
E.ffectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) 
days after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general application. 
Approved, 
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