REPRE,
KS SEN

Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Meteo Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 4443

0

a yp
(3 RECEIVED
= pareds seems
+ TIME _@: .
@ 5 saeehe
q S
Ry Y
ONS

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE GERALD CLOYD ALEXIS V. GALANG

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Section 15, Article II of the 1987 Constitution states that "The State shall protect

and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among
them.” Further, Section 11 of Article XIII provides that "the State shall adopt an integrated
and comprehensive approach to health development. Acknowledging the physical

disadvantages of the underprivileged elderly, including the underprivileged

disabled, women, and children, their needs for health development is said to be a priority.

Data from the 2020 Census of Population and Housin; iicates that senior citizens

aged 60 and over constitute 8.5% (9.22 million) of the Filipino household population. The
Commission on Population and Development, citing Philippine Statistics Authority data,
confirms a consistent upward trend in the proportion of elderly Filipinos.

and the Act Increasing the Social Pension of Indigent Senior Citi

Although legislative measures such as the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010
ns have enhanced

financial benefits and privileges, a significant portion of these funds is inevitably
allocated to purchasing maintenance medicines, highlighting a gap in support.

Biological aging involves complex physiological changes leading to health decline.

During this stage, nutrition becomes critically important, requiring special attention.
Adequate nutrition is vital across all life stages but is especially crucial for the elderly,
providing essential energy and nutrients to prevent or manage chronic discases.
Regrettably, the government's provision of comprehensive nutritional support for this
demographic has been insufficient.

To address this deficiency, this measure is introduced: establishing a comprehensive

nutrition program for senior citizens and fortifying the existing Philippine nutritional
framework. This action is taken in fulfillment of the State's constitutional duty to
prioritize the health of the nation's expanding elderly population.

It is for this purpose that the urgent passage of this measure is sought.

GERALD GALANG

2"4 Legislative District, City of Valenzuela



Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Meteo Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 4443

Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE GERALD CLOYD ALEXIS V. GALANG

AN ACT
STRENGTHENING THE NATIONAL HEALTH PROGRAM FOR SENIOR CITIZENS,
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7432, AS AMENDED,
ENTITLED “AN ACT TO MAXIMIZE THE CONTRIBUTION OF SENIOR CITIZENS
TO NATION BUILDING, GRANT BENEFITS AND SPECIAL PRIVILEGES AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES”

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress

assembled:

SECTION 1. Section 5 (c) of Republic Act No. 7432, as amended, is further amended
as follows:

SEC. 5. Government Assistance. — The government shall provide the
following:
a) xxx
b) xx
c) Health

“The DOH, in coordination with local government units (LGUs),
NGOs and POs for senior citizens, shall institute a national health
program and shall provide and POs for senior citizens, shall institute
a national health program and shall provide an integrated health
service for senior citizens. It shall train community-based health
workers among senior citizens and health personnel to specialize in
geriatric care and health problems of senior citizens

“The national health program for senior citizens THAT
INCLUDES A COMPREHENSIVE NUTRITION AND
WELLNESS PROGRAM shall, among others, be harmonized with
the National Prevention of Blindness Program of the DOH.

“Throughout the country, there shall be established a “senior
citizens’ ward” in every government hospital. This geriatric ward is
for the exclusive use of senior citizens who require hospital
confinement due to their health conditions. However, when the
urgency of public necessity or emergency purposes so require, such

2


geriatric ward may be used for emergency purposes, after which, such a
“senior citizens’ ward” shall be reverted to its nature as a geriatric
ward.

“THE NATIONAL NUTRITION COUNCIL SHALL, IN
COORDINATION WITH THE DOH AND LGUs PREPARE
THE COMPREHENSIVE NUTRITION AND WELLNESS
PROGRAM FOR DISSEMINATION TO SENIOR CITIZENS
TO SERVE AS A GUIDE FOR THEIR HEALTHY LIVING.

“THE LGUs SHALL, THROUGH THE LOCAL HEALTH
PERSONNEL, REGULARLY VISIT EVERY SENIOR
CITIZEN WITHIN THEIR JURISDICTION AS A PLATFORM
FOR PRIMARY CARE AND TO ADDRESS CHALLENGES
AS WELL AS FOLLOW THROUGH ON COMPLIANCE TO
A HEALTHY DIET IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
COMPREHENSIVE NUTRITION AND WELLNESS
PROGRAM APPROPRIATE TO THEIR HEALTH
CONDITIONS.

“LIKEWISE, THE LGUs SHALL, THROUGH THE
OFFICE FOR THE SENIOR CITIZENS AFFAIRS (OSCA),
INTEGRATE THE COMPREHENSIVE NUTRITION AND
WELLNESS PROGRAM IN THEIR RESPECTIVE
PROGRAMS FOR SENIOR CITIZENS. THE OSCA SHALL
SUBMIT A MONTHLY REPORT ON THE STATUS OF THE
NUTRITION AND WELLNESS PROGRAM TO THE DOH.”

SEC. 2. Implementing Rules and Regulations — Within sixty (60) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government shall, in consultation
with the National Nutrition Council and the Secretary of Health, promulgate the necessary rules
and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

SEC. 3. Repealing Clause ~ All laws, presidential decrees, issuances, executive orders,
letters of instruction, rules or regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with or contrary to the
provisions of this Act are repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SEC. 4, Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,