TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
of ilic
25 SEP-1 P3:10
SEr
s.no:T5Io
RtCEIVED BY;
Introduced by Senator Raffy T. Tulfo
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE GERIATRIC CENTER UNDER THE 
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Philippines is experiencing a demographic shift, with a rapidly growing number 
of eiderly citizens. As peopie age, they often face complex health challenges that require 
specialized medical care. Establishing the Phiiippine Geriatric Center (PGC) ensures that 
there is a dedicated facility equipped to meet these specific healthcare needs, improving 
the quality of life for the elderly population.
As of 2020, there were 9,242,121 senior citizens or those above 60 years old in 
this country, as recorded by the Philippine Statistics Authority. The PSA is projecting the 
Philippine population to have hit about 112 million in 2023, although some foreign 
economic consultancies place the number at over 118 million.1
In our developing country, many individuals need financial and other forms of 
assistance in their twilight years. By placing the PGC under the Department of Health 
(DOH), the facility can integrate and coordinate with other health services and programs 
across the country. This guarantees a holistic approach to geriatric care, enabling 
comprehensive service delivery and simplifying the national health strategies and policies 
for the elderly.
1 https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2024/02/28/2336645/senior-moments


To this end, the bill intends to address the growing healthcare demands of the 
aging population in the Philippines by establishing a specialized healthcare institution 
dedicated to geriatric care. This initiative demonstrates the State's dedication to 
upholding and advancing the health rights of elderly Filipinos through an integrated and 
comprehensive healthcare approach.
A dedicated geriatric center can streamline resources and efforts, avoiding the 
duplication of services and ensuring that funds are used effectively. The PGC can leverage 
its specialized focus to attract funding, partnerships, and collaborations that are 
specifically aimed at improving geriatric care, thus maximizing the impact of available 
resources.
This bill is a crucial step towards ensuring that the growing elderly population in 
the Philippines gets the specialized, comprehensive, and high quality healthcare that they 
deserve. This bill not only addresses the immediate healthcare needs of older adults but 
also encourages long-term health and well-being, contributing to a healthier and more 
inclusive society.
In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this measure is earnestly sought.


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
s.NSoET5E20
p _/7
(©ft!CP of iljp *i'CiPtfll7
25 SEP-1 P3:10
RECEIVED BY:
Introduced by Senator RaffyT. Tulfo
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE GERIATRIC CENTER UNDER THE 
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
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 "Philippine Geriatric Center
2 
Act".
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared a policy of the State to protect
4 
and promote the right to health of the Filipino people and to instill health consciousness
5 
among them. Towards this end, the State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive
6 
approach to health development. It shall ensure that quality health services are available
7 
and accessible to them by establishing a specialized hospital that will cater to their medical
8 
and health needs.
9 
Sec. 3. Philippine Geriatric Center. - The National Center for Geriatric Health
10 
(NCGH), located in San Miguel, Manila, is hereby renamed as the Philippine Geriatric
11 
Center (PGC) and established as a tertiary specialty hospital under the direct control and
12 
supervision of the Department of Health to ensure healthcare and quality of life of our
13 
older and ageing population. The existing hospital development plan, current bed capacity
14 
and service capabilities, including organizational structure and staffing requirements, shall
15 
be updated and upgraded consistent with the given mandate under this Act.
16 
Sec. 4. Purposes and Objectives. -The PGC shall have the following purposes and
17 
objectives:


1 
a) Equip, maintain, administer and operate an integrated medical institution which
2 
shall specialize in geriatric heaith services;
3 
b) Promote medicai services to the elderly and scientific research/database
4 
reiative to the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, care, rehabilitation and relief
5 
of disease of older people and aging population;
6 
c) Provide education and training of physicians, nurses, officers, sociai workers,
7 
barangay health workers, and other medical and technical personnel in the
8 
practice and scientific impiementation of health services to oider peopie and
9 
aging population; and
10 
d) Coordinate the various efforts and activities of other government agencies and
11 
local government units for the purpose of achieving a comprehensive and
12 
integrated approach to geriatric health and healthcare service delivery.
13 
Sec. 5. Referral System. - The PGC shaii be the National Specialty Referral Center for
14 
all private and government facilities for speciaiized geriatric care.
15 
Sec. 6. Appropriations. - An amount of One Hundred Million Pesos (PhP
16 
100,000,000.00) shall be appropriated for the establishment and initial operations of the
17 
PGC. Furthermore, the Secretary of Health shall immediately include in the Department's
18 
program the implementation of this Act, the funding of which shaii be included in the
19 
subsequent Annual General Appropriations Act. Thereafter, the amount necessary for the
20 
continued operation of the hospital, upgrading, and expansion of services shall be
21 
included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
22 
Sec. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of Health shall, in
23 
consultation and coordination with appropriate government agencies, such as
24 
Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Civil Service Commission (CSC), National
25 
Commission on Senior Citizens (NCSC), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Non-
26 
Government Organizations (NGOs), and other stakeholders, within ninety (90) days from
27 
the effectivity of this Act, promulgate the Implementing Rules and Regulations for the
28 
effective and efficient implementation of the provisions of this Act.


1 
Sec. 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held invalid or
2 
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other
3 
provisions hereof.
4 
Sec. 9. Repealing Clause. - All existing iaws, decrees, executive orders, ruies and
5 
regulations, or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed,
6 
amended or modified accordingly.
7 
Sec. 10. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
8 
publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,