FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 2950 
Introduced by SENATOR MANNY VILLAR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
'11 
AUG 21 P J :14 
We Filipinos are known for the unrequited care we give our elderly. In fact, 
this customary practice is one attribute that sets us apart from other cultures. 
Sadly, this generosity is oftentimes extended only to members of our own 
families. Thus, those who have been abandoned and neglected by their loved 
ones find themselves unattended and helpless in their advance age. 
The State, as parens patriae, should take an active role in alleviating the 
plight of our senior citizens, especially the unwanted and deserted. Not only is 
this consistent with our deeply rooted values, but more so, is a visible testament 
to our government's commitment to alleviate the living conditions of all our 
citizens, both young and old alike. Nevertheless, we can only be truly effective in 
this effort if we can give our senior citizens long term care and services. 
This is precisely what this Bill seeks to achieve, Hence, by formulating a 
national long term care program for senior citizens, it is hoped that the 
government and its vital agencies can become more efficient in combating the 
problems confronting our senior citizens and ultimately, help fulfill its promise of 
securing for our people a prosperous life, 
In view of the paramount significance of this Bill, its passage is most 
earnestly sought. 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
Second Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S,B. No. 2950 
Introduced by SENATOR MANNY VILLAR 
AN ACT 
'11 
!lUG 23 P 3 :14 
ESTABLISHING AND INSTITUTIONALIZING LONG-TERM CARE 
FOR SENIOR CITIZENS, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR AND 
FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Title. This Act shall be known as "The Long-Term Care for 
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Senior Citizens Act of 2011." 
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SECTION 2. Declaration of Policies. The State recognizes the invaluable 
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contribution of senior citizens to the national development program. Accordingly, 
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it is hereby declared the policy of the State to provide adequate and effective 
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social services to all members of society especially senior citizens so they may 
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live prosperously and enjoy the fruits of their labor. For this purpose, the State 
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undertakes to establish and initiate programs as well as to support endeavors 
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aimed at promoting and advancing the social and economic well being of senior 
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citizens. 
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SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. For purposes of this Act, the following 
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terms shall be construed to mean as follows: 
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a. 
A "senior citizen" refers to any person as defined in 
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Section 3 of Republic Act No. 7876, otherwise known as the Senior 
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Citizen Center Act. 
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b. 
Long-term care refers to a sustained provision of 
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comprehensive programs and services to Senior Citizens with the 
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view of enabling them to have dignified, healthy and secured lives. 
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c. 
Dependent senior citizen refers to those persons who 
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are either frail, sickly, suffering from any disability, and has no other 
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means to support his/her basic needs. 
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SECTION 4. National Long-term Care Program Framework. A national long-
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term care program for senior citizens is hereby established which shall embody 
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the following core programs and/or services, among others: 
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a. 
Social Protection shall cover programs which seek 
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to reduce poverty and vulnerability to risks and enhance the social 


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status and rights of senior citizens by promoting and protecting 
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them against hazards and sudden loss of income and improving 
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senior citizens' capacity to manage risk. 
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a.1. Social Welfare. Curative and preventive 
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interventions that seek to support the special needs of 
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Senior Citizens and to reduce risks associated with 
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old age shall be provided. These shall include 
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activities aimed at protecting senior citizens from 
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abuse, exploitation and discrimination. Moreover, 
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prevention and provision of support services against 
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physical, emotional and financial abuse, sexual 
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exploitation, neglect and abandonment of senior 
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citizens shall be established within the family and at 
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the community level. Towards this end, trainings and 
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awareness campaigns shall be initiated to raise the 
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public's awareness of the problems confronting senior 
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citizens and to equip the public with the necessary 
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know-how to prevent and detection problem areas 
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concerning senior citizens. 
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a.2. 
Livelihood/Job 
Generation 
Program. 
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Senior citizens shall be specifically targeted in 
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livelihood programs and other poverty alleviation 
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programs. 
Further, 
livelihood 
programs 
shall 
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guarantee a minimum income and shall be designed 
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in 
a 
manner 
that 
increases 
senior 
citizens' 
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productivity. 
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a.3. Social Insurance. Existing social insurance 
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programs shall be 
modified 
and 
expanded to 
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guarantee that senior citizens shall be adequately 
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protected from loss of income and unemployment as 
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a result of old age. Economic and financial support 
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through other innovative social insurance and pension 
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schemes especially designed for families caring for 
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dependents/disabled senior citizens shall likewise be 
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endeavored. 
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a.4. Social Safety Nets. Stop-gap mechanisms 
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or urgent and immediate responses shall be instituted 
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to shield senior citizens from vulnerabilities arising 
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from disasters, emergency and displacement due to 
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development 
projects, 
natural 
and 
man-made 
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calamities. 
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b. 
Senior Citizens and Development This shall 
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include mainstreaming activities such as 
lifelong education 
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programs for ageing preparation and non-formal education at the 
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local level for those sixty (60) years old and above and 
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development of programs which will allow senior citizens to remain 
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actively engaged in as many social, economic and community 
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activities as possible. 
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c. 
Advancing Health and Well-being. An integrated 
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and innovative elderly-focused health and social services shall be 
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made available at the local level. Particular emphasis shall be 


1 
made on disease prevention, health promotion and well ness of 
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mind, body and spirit. Health services shall comprise preventive, 
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curative and rehabilitative health care services in all government 
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and private hospitals, local health facilities and other community-
5 
based facilities. The said program shall contemplate the following, 
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among others: 
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c.1. Homecare and hospice for the frail and 
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dependent elderly and medical and psychological 
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support for patients requiring continued medical 
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assistance after discharge. 
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c.2. Development and provIsion of geriatric 
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training at the family and community level. 
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c.3. Mandatory PHILHEAL TH coverage for 
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non-contributory senior citizens especially the poor. 
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d. 
Enabling and Supportive Environment. Provision of 
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home nursing for the elderly, facilities for respite care, programs on 
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counseling, professional guidance and emotional support and low-
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cost, community-based activities integrated into existing community 
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health programs as well as strengthening of inter-generational 
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relationships. 
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Nothing above prevents the agencies tasked to implement the provisions 
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of this Act from introducing other social services and programs designed to 
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promote the National Long-Term Care Program for senior citizens. 
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SECTION 5. Implementing Agencies. The National Long-Term Care Program 
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for Senior Citizens shall be implemented jointly by the Department of Finance, 
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Department of Health, Department of Interior and Local Government, the various 
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local government units and the Department of Social Welfare and Development 
34 
(DSWD). The National Inter-Agency Monitoring Board created under Republic 
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Act No. 9257 otherwise known as the Expanded Senior Citizens act shall take 
36 
the lead in monitoring the implementation of this Act. 
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SECTION 6. Appropriation. The amount necessary to carry out the provisions 
39 
of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act of the year 
40 
following its enactment into law and thereafter the local government units shall 
41 
undertake the maintenance of the institutions established under this Act. 
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SECTION 7. Implementing Rules and RegUlations. Within ninety ((90) days 
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from the effectivity of this Act, the Department of Social Welfare and 
45 
Development, after due consultations with the other implementing agencies, shall 
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promulgate the necessary rules and regulations necessary for the orderly 
47 
implementation of this Act. 
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SECTION 8. Separability Clause. If any part of this Act is declared 
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unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall 
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continue to be in full force and effect. 
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SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, rules and regulations or 
54 
parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, modified or amended 
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accordingly. 
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SECTION 10. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
2 
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of 
3 
general circulation. 
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Approved, 
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