NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
Third Regular Session 
)
.'(©ff'-f of I:)f■
24 AUG 14 P6:14
SENATE
Introduced by Senator Loren B. Legarda
AN ACT
PROVIDING MONTHLY MAINTENANCE MEDICATION SUPPORT FOR 
SENIOR CITIZENS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The aging population in the Philippines is increasing rapidly, with many senior 
citizens requiring ongoing medical attention to manage chronic illnesses. Maintenance 
medications are essential for the elderly, as they are often prescribed to control long­
term health conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, and other age- 
related ailments. However, the high cost of these medications poses a significant 
financial burden, particularly for those living on limited incomes.
Article XIII, Section 11 of the 1987 Constitution mandates that the State shall 
adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health and other social services, 
prioritizing the underprivileged, sick, elderly, disabled, women, and children. In line 
with this mandate, it is the responsibility of the government to ensure that senior 
citizens have access to affordable healthcare, including the medications necessary for 
maintaining their health and well-being.
Republic Act No. 9994, or the "Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010," provides 
for the protection and promotion of the welfare of senior citizens, including discounts 
on the purchase of medicines. While this law has made significant strides in supporting 
the elderly, there remains a need for further assistance, particularly in providing direct 
financial support to cover the cost of maintenance medications.


This bill, titled the "Monthly Maintenance Medication Support Act for Senior 
Citizens," seeks to address this need by providing a monthly financial subsidy of Php 
1,000.00 to registered senior citizens for the purchase of maintenance medications. 
This support aims to alleviate the financial burden on senior citizens, ensuring they 
have consistent access to the medications they require to manage their health 
conditions effectively.
The proposed legislation outlines the eligibility criteria, the process for 
registration, and the specific use of the financial support, ensuring that the funds are 
used exclusively for purchasing prescribed maintenance medications. The Department 
of Health (DOH), in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and 
Development (DSWD) and other relevant agencies, will be responsible for the 
implementation and monitoring of this program.
By enacting this measure, the State affirms its commitment to the health and 
well-being of senior citizens, enabling them to lead healthier, more dignified lives, and 
continue to contribute meaningfully to society.
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
REN LEGARDA


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
Third Regular Session 
)
tCfficr o( i:;? s ■
24 AUG 14 P6:14
SENATE
Introduced by Senator Loren B. Legarda
AN ACT
PROVIDING MONTHLY MAINTENANCE MEDICATION SUPPORT FOR 
SENIOR CITIZENS
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Monthly Maintenance
2 
Medication Support Act for Senior Citizens."
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. — In consonance with Article XIII, Sec. 11 of the
4 
Constitution which provides that the State shall adopt an integrated and
5 
comprehensive approach to health and other social services available to all people at
6 
affordable cost, giving priority to the underprivileged, sick, elderly, disabled, women
7 
and children, it is hereby declared the policy of the State to protect and promote the
8 
health and well-being of elderly citizens for their continued meaningful contribution
9 
and participation in the society. This Act seeks to provide monthly financial assistance
10 
to senior citizens, enabling them to access and afford necessary maintenance
11 
medications, thereby enhancing their quality of life and health outcomes.
12 
Sec. 3. Monthly Maintenance Medication Support. - The government shall
13 
provide monthly financial support amounting to Php 1,000.00 to all senior citizens,
14 
hereinafter referred to as "beneficiaries," who are qualified and registered as such
15 
under Republic Act No. 9994, otherwise known as the "Expanded Senior Citizens Act
16 
of 2010."


1 
Sec. 4. Eligibility dnd Registration. - To qualify for the Monthly Maintenance
2 
Medication Support, a senior citizen must meet the following criteria:
3 
(a) Be a Filipino citizen and a registered senior citizen as defined in
4 
Republic Act No. 9994;
5 
(b) Submit an application to the Department of Health (DOH) or its
6 
designated agency, accompanied by a valid prescription for
7 
maintenance medications issued by a licensed medical practitioner
8 
within the last six (6) months from the date of application; and
9 
(c) Once approved, beneficiaries shall be issued a Monthly Maintenance
10 
Medication Support Card.
11 
Sec. 5. Use of the Monthly Support. - The Monthly Maintenance Medication
12 
Support shall be used exclusively to purchase prescribed maintenance medications,
13 
including but not limited to medicines for chronic illnesses, vitamins, and
14 
supplements, from all public or private pharmaceutical establishments upon
15 
presentment of a prescription validly issued within the last six (6) months from the
16 
date of purchase. The Monthly Maintenance Medication Support shall not be
17 
transferrable to any person other than the person to which the same is provided as
18 
named in the Monthly Maintenance Medication Support Card. Any unused portion of
19 
the support shall not be convertible to cash.
20 
Sec. 6. Implementation and Coordination. - The Department of Health (DOH)
21 
shall be responsible for the implementation of this Act and shall coordinate with other
22 
relevant agencies, including the Department of Social Welfare and Development
23 
(DSWD), to ensure the efficient distribution of the Monthly Maintenance Medication
24 
Support.
25 
Sec. 7. Monitoring and Reporting. - The DOH shall establish a monitoring
26 
system to track the utilization of the Monthly Maintenance Medication Support and
27 
shall submit an annual report to Congress detailing the program's effectiveness and
28 
impact on senior citizens' health and well-being.


1 
Sec. 8. Penalties. - Any person who commits fraud, misrepresentation, or any
2 
form of abuse in the application or use of the Monthly Maintenance Medication
3 
Support shall be subject to penalties as prescribed by law.
4 
Sec. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DOH, in coordination with
5 
the DSWD and other relevant agencies, shall promulgate the necessary rules and
6 
regulations to effectively implement this Act within ninety (90) days from its
7 
effectivity.
8 
Sec. 10. Separability Clause. - If any part, section, or provision of this Act is
9 
held invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions not affected shall remain in full force
10 
and effect.
11 
Sec. 12. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations or
12 
parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.
13 
Sec. 13. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
14 
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,