Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. _19904

Introduced by Representative Crispin Diego “Ping” D. Remu

PROVIDING MONTHLY MAINTENANCE MEDICATION SUPPORT FOR
SENIOR CITIZENS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article XIII, Section 11 of the 1987 Constitution provides 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. Thus, the government is
responsible for ensuring that senior citizens have access to healthcare, including medications

necessary for maintaining their health and well-being.

This proposed measure aims to provide registered senior citizens a monthly financial
subsidy to purchase their prescribed maintenance medications. This will alleviate their
financial burden and ensure they have consistent access to the medicines their health conditions

require.


In view of the foregoing, the approval of this measure is earnestly sought.

CRISPIN DI iG” D. REMULLA


10

11

12

2B

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. _ 10904

Introduced by Representative Crispin Diego “Ping” D. Remulla

AN ACT
PROVIDING MONTHLY MAINTENANCE MEDICATION SUPPORT FOR
SENIOR CITIZENS

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Monthly Maintenance
Medication Support Act for Senior Citizens.”

SEC, 2. Declaration of Policy. — In consonance with Article XIII, Sec. 11 of the
Constitution which provides that the State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive
approach to health and other social services available to all people at affordable cost, giving
priority to the underprivileged, sick, elderly, disabled, women and children, it is hereby
declared the policy of the State to protect and promote the health and well-being of elderly
citizens for their continued meaningful contribution and participation in the society. This Act
seeks to provide monthly financial assistance to senior citizens, enabling them to access and
afford necessary maintenance medications, thereby enhancing their quality of life and health
outcomes.

SEC. 3. Monthly Maintenance Medication Support. ~The government shall provide

monthly financial support amounting to PHP 1,000.00 to all senior citizens, hereinafter referred


1

2

10

1

12

14

15

16

7

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

to as “beneficiaries,” who are qualified and registered as such under Republic Act No. 9994,
otherwise known as the “Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010.”

SEC. 4. Eligibility and Registration. — To qualify for the Monthly Maintenance
Medication Support, a senior citizen must meet the following criteria:

a. Bea Filipino citizen and a registered senior citizen as defined in Republic Act No.

9994:

b. Submit an application to the Department of Health (DOH) or its designated agency,
accompanied by a valid prescription for maintenance medications issued by a
licensed medical practitioner within the last six (6) months from the date of
application; and

c. Once approved, beneficiaries shall be issued a Monthly Maintenance Medication
Support Card.

SEC. 5. Use of the Monthly Support. — The Monthly Maintenance Medication
Support shall be used exclusively to purchase prescribed maintenance medications, including
but not limited to medicines for chronic illnesses, vitamins, and supplements from all public or
private pharmaceutical establishments upon presentment of a prescription validly issued within
the last six (6) months from the date of purchase. The Monthly Maintenance Medication
Support shall not be transferrable to anyone other than the person to whom the same is provided
as named in the Monthly Maintenance Medication Support Card. Any unused portion of the
support shall not be convertible to cash.

‘SEC. 6. Implementation and Coordi

tion. — The Department of Health (DOH) shall
be responsible for the implementation of this Act and shall coordinate with other relevant
agencies, including the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), to ensure

the efficient distribution of the Monthly Maintenance Medication Support.


10

ue

12

13

14

15

16

7

18

SEC. 7. Monitoring and Reporting. - The DOH shall establish a monitoring system
to track the utilization of the Monthly Maintenance Medication Support and shall submit an
annual report to Congress detailing the program’s effectiveness and impact on senior citizens’
health and well-being.

SEC. 8. Penalties. — Any person who commits fraud, misrepresentation, or any form
of abuse in the application or use of the Monthly Maintenance Medication Support shall be
subject to penalties as prescribed by law.

SEC. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The DOH, in coordination with the

DSWD and other relevant agencies, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to

effectively implement this Act within ninety (90) days from its effect

SEC. 10. Separability Clause. - If any clause, sentence, paragraph, or part of this Act
shall be declared unconstitutional or invalid, other provisions not affected shall remain in full
force and effect.

SEC. 11. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations or parts
thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

SEC. 12. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following its
publication in the Official Gazette or in any major newspaper of general circulation in the

Philippines.

Approved,