Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bit no: 8052

Introduced by HON. JOY MYRA S. TAMBUNTING

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Any nation owes its developments to its elderly population, who in their youth have strived to
contribute to the nation’s growth. Considering this, it is the States and our responsibility to look
after them after rendering numerous years of service.

In this regard, this measure seeks to provide free immunization to all senior citizens with the goal
of ensuring the maintenance of the quality of their lives. This measure is also consistent with the
Constitutional guarantee of preferential treatment to and the prioritization of the needs of the
elderly along with other vulnerable sectors of the society.

This measure mandates the Department of Health to administer free vaccinations against
influenza virus, tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, pneumococcal disease and other vaccinations
deemed necessary by the Department to all senior citizens.

On behalf of the people of Parafiaque City’s Second District, and for the common good of the
Filipino people, the approval of the said measure is earnestly sought.

Y/ nel d Le
2 id District, Parafiaque City


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bit No, 8052

Introduced by HON. JOY MYRA S. TAMBUNTING

AN ACT
UPHOLDING SOCIAL JUSTICE IN THE PROTECTION AND PROMOTION OF THE
SENIOR CITIZENS' RIGHT TO HEALTH, BY PROVIDING FREE IMMUNIZATION TO ALL
SENIOR CITIZENS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 4 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO.
7432, AS AMENDED BY REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9257, FURTHER AMENDED BY REPUBLIC
ACT NO. 9994, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "EXPANDED SENIOR CITIZENS ACT OF
2010", PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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 “Safeguarding Seniors: Free
Immunization Act of 2020",

Sec. 2, Declaration of Policy. — It is the policy of the State to protect and promote the right
to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them,

Consistent with the Constitution which mandates that there shall be priority for the needs of the
elderly, the State shall endeavor to provide free vaccination to all senior citizens. In recognizing
the vulnerabilities of senior citizens, the State shall protect their health by ensuring that they have
a protective line of defense against protect their health by ensuring that they have a protective
line of defense against viruses and other diseases through free vaccination.

‘Sec. 3. Section 4 of Republic Act No. 743, as amended by Republic Act No. 9257, further amended
by Republic Act No. 9994, otherwise known as the "Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010", shall
be hereby further amended to read as follows:

SEC. 4. Privileges for the Senior Citizens. —

The senior citizens shall be entitled to the following:

XXX


(f) the DOH shall administer free vaccination against the influenza
virus, TETANUS, DIPHTHERIA, PERTUSSI and pneumococcal
disease, AND OTHER SIMILAR APPROVED VACCINATIONS
WHICH THE DOH DEEMS NECESSARY FOR THE
MAINTENANCE OF THE QUALITY OF LIFE for ALL [indigent]
senior citizen patients;

Sec. 4, Appropriations, — The amount needed for the implementation of this Act shall be
charged against the appropriations of DOH in the current and subsequent General Appropriations
Act. Thereafter, the amount needed for the continued implementation of this Act shall be included
in the budget of the concerned departments in the annual General Appropriations.

Sec. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations, — Within six (6) months from the approval of
this Act, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of
Health (DOH), in coordination with other implementing agencies, shall formulate rules and
guidelines as may be necessary for the proper implementation and enforcement of this Act.

Sec. 6. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, letters of instruction, resolutions, orders or parts
thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified or
amended accordingly.

Sec. 7. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,