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

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 513

Introduced by Representative Jaime R. Fresnedi

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to protect senior citizens from abuse, exploitation, violence and neglect
by institutionalizing a national legal framework that defines, prohibits, and penalizes all forms
of elder abuse and domestic violence against senior citizens. It recognizes that the elderly are
not merely passive recipients of care but are human beings with dignity, rights, and histories
of selfless contribution to our families, communities, and nation.

Elder abuse and domestic violence against senior citizens remain largely invisible,
unreported, and unaddressed. In 2023, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) revealed a
worrying rise in elder abuse complaints, ranging from physical harm and abandonment to
financial exploitation by family members or caretakers'. However, the true scale of the crisis
remains obscured by shame, fear, and the silent suffering of victims. According to the World
Health Organization (WHO), one (1) in six (6) people aged sixty (60) and above experienced
abuse in community settings in the past year, yet only a fraction of cases ever come to light”.

The lack of a comprehensive law that directly addresses elder abuse fails to recognize
the unique vulnerability of the elderly and the specific dynamics of abuse committed against
them, Most cases are prosecuted under general criminal laws and age, in many instances, is
merely seen as an aggravating circumstance and not the basis of a specific crime. This glaring
legal gap endangers thousands of our /olos and /olas, many of whom suffer quietly in their own
homes or in institutional care.

This proposed measure directly responds to this urgent human rights issue. It defines
various forms of elder abuse including physical, psychological, financial, material. sexual
abuse, abandonment and neglect. This bill also prohibits and penalizes these acts with
appropriate sanctions and provides mechanisms for redress, protection, and rehabilitation. It

"inputs of the Commission on Human Rights of the Philipines on violence, abuse, and neglect of older persons to inform the forthcoming
‘report of the Independent Expert on human rights of older persons, Ms. Claudia Maier, to the S4™ session of the United Nations Human
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also ensures that the vulnerability of age is legally recognized in the same manner we protect
children and women ftom abuse.

No elderly person should spend their twilight years in fear, humiliation, or abandonment.
They have nurtured families, built communities, and helped shape our nation. Now, as age
renders them more fragile, it is a solemn duty to repay that debt with compassion, dignity, and
justice. This legislative measure pushes us to act now and not wait for another viral news and
video of abuse or a tragic case of neglect.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

JAIMI SNEDI
fepres¢ntative
Lone District, Muntinlupa City


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

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 513

Introduced by Representative Jaime R. Fresnedi

AN ACT
PROTECTING SENIOR CITIZENS FROM DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, DEFINING
ELDER ABUSE, AND PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR

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 “Senior Citizens Anti-Violence
and Abuse Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the policy of the State to uphold and protect the
dignity of senior citizens and guarantee full respect for human rights. The State recognizes the
need to protect senior citizens from all forms of violence, abuse, neglect, exploitation and
coercion, and other acts deleterious to their personal safety and security.

‘Towards this end, the State shall establish measures to ensure that all senior citizens are
empowered to fully participate in safe communities and protected from domestic violence and
abuse.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act:

a) Domestic violence against a senior citizen refers to any act of abuse, violence or threat
of violence committed upon the person of a senior citizen by the current or former spouse of
the senior citizen, a person related by blood or marriage to, cohabiting with, or a person who
has a common child with or who is in or has a romantic and intimate relationship with the
senior citizen victim;

b) Elder abuse refers to a single or repeated act, acts of omission, or lack of appropriate
action, occurring within any relationship or interaction by any person which causes serious
harm or severe distress to a senior citizen, including any act or series of acts committed by any
person against a senior citizen within or outside the family abode, that result or is likely to
result in physical, sexual, psychological or emotional, financial or material abuse, or neglect or
abandonment;


©) Neglect refers to the refusal or failure of a legally-appointed person with fiduciary
responsibilities to fulfill any part of the fiduciary obligations or duties to a senior citizen,
including an in-home service provider to provide necessary care to a senior citizen;

4) Safe place or shelter refers to any home or institution maintained or managed by the
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) or any other suitable facility that is
willing to accommodate the aggrieved senior citizen; and

e) Senior citizen refers to any resident citizen of the Philippines at least sixty (60) years
old as defined under Republic Act No. 9994, otherwise known as the “Expanded Senior
Citizens Act of 2010."

SEC. 4. Domestic Violence and Abuse against Senior Citizens. - The crime of domestic
violence against a senior citizen or elder abuse is committed through any of the following
punishable acts that cause serious harm or severe distress to a senior citizen:

a) Physical abuse or infliction of pain or injury with the use of physical force resulting
in bodily injury, physical harm, pain or impairment, suffering or distress;

b) Psychological, mental or emotional abuse which may involve threats, verbal assault,
humiliation and ridicule causing mental or emotional suffering or distress;

©) Material exploitation through illegal or improper use of funds or resources of the
senior citizen and economic or financial abuse through deprivation or threat of deprivation of
financial resources, controlling the senior citizen’s own resources and other acts that render the
senior citizen financially dependent or cause financial damage to them; and

d) Neglect, abandonment or desertion by leaving a senior citizen unattended for a
considerable length of time that may likely endanger the health and welfare of a senior citizen,
by an individual who has assumed responsibility for providing care for the senior citizen, or by
a person with custody of the senior citizen.

SEC. 5. Rights of Senior Citizens against Abuse. — In addition to those provided under
existing laws, a senior citizen shall, during the pendency of the case involving domestic
violence against a senior citizen or elder abuse have the following rights:

a) Avail of protection and legal assistance from the Public Attomey’s Office (PAO) of
the Department of Justice (DOJ) or any public legal assistance office;

b) Be entitled to support services from the DSWD and the local government unit (LGU);
c) Be entitled to all legal remedies as provided for under the Family Code;
4) Be informed of the rights and services available to all senior citizens from the Senior
Citizen Help Desk established under this Act, including the right to apply for a Protection Order
(PO) from the Punong Barangay, Lupong Tagapamayapa, ot the Court; and

€) Be entitled to actual, compensatory, moral and exemplary damages.


SEC. 6. Mandatory Programs and Services. — The National Commission of Senior
Citizens (NCSC) and the DSWD, in coordination with the LGUs, shalll provide a victim of
domestic violence against a senior citizen or elder abuse the following:

a) A safe place or temporary shelter, such as a senior housing or nursing home or other
suitable facility, when appropriate, as emergency short-term shelters;

b) Counseling, healing, livelihood programs, and recovery and rehabilitation services;
and

©) Programs to ensure the personal safety and security of victims or survivors of domestic
violence against a senior citizen or elder abuse and other similar acts.

The DOH shall provide medical assistance to the victims.

SEC. 7. Response to Request for Assistance. ~The barangay official or law enforcement
officer responding to a request for assistance from a victim of domestic violence against a
senior citizen or elder abuse shall exercise the following duties:

a) Respond immediately to a call for help or request for protection of the victim and,
with prior consent or demand from the aggrieved senior citizen, enter the senior citizen victim's
dwelling, if necessary, for the purpose of removing therefrom or transferring the victim's custody
pursuant to this Act whether or not an offender is within plain views

b) Confiscate any harmful object in the possession of the offender, or one which is within
plain view:

¢) Transport the victim to a barangay hall, safe space or shelter, clinic or hospital;
d) Assist the victim in removing personal belongings from the dwelling;

) Ensure the enforcement of the Protection Order issued by the Lupong Tagapamayapa,
the Punong Barangay or the Court;

f) Arrest the offender even without a warrant or effect a citizen's arrest in accordance
with Rule 113, Section 5 of the Revised Penal Code when any of the acts of violence defined in
this Act is occurring, or with personal knowledge that an act of violence has been committed,
and there is imminent danger to the life or limb of the senior citizen; and

g) Immediately report the call for assistance to the DSWD, the LGU or accredited non-
government organization (NGO).

SEC. 8. Philippine National Police Protocol. - The Philippine National Police (PNP)
shall adopt a written protocol establishing the guidelines and procedures for law enforcement
officers while responding to request for assistance and calls related to domestic violence against
a senior citizen or elder abuse.

SEC. 9. Education and Training Programs. — All persons involved in responding to cases
of domestic violence against a senior citizen or elder abuse, or any threat to the personal safety


and security or any discriminatory act committed against a senior citizen, shall be required to
undergo education and training.

The law enforcement agencies, in coordination with the DILG and LGUs, NCSC and the
DSWD shall establish education and training programs to assist law enforcement officers and
barangay officials to enable them to properly handle cases of domestic violence against a
senior citizen or elder abuse, and acquaint them with the following:

a) Nature, extent, and causes of domestic violence against senior citizens or elder abuse;
b) Legal rights of, and remedies available to victims;
©) Services and facilities available to victims or survivors:

d) Duties imposed on law enforcement officers in making lawful arrest and offering
protection and assistance; and

e) Necessary techniques to be employed in handling incidents of domestic violence
against a senior citizen to minimize the likelihood of injury to the officer and promote the safety
of the victim or survivor.

SEC. 10. Mandatory Reporting. - All health care providers and government officers and
employees who have actual knowledge or reasonable suspicion of the incident involving
domestic violence against a senior citizen or elder abuse and to whom said abuse or violence
was reported or revealed in the course of the performance of official duty, shall immediately
report the incident to any law enforcement agency within forty-eight (48) hours from
knowledge of the same. Investigation shall immediately follow.

The DSWD shall assign a social worker to verify incidents of domestic violence against
a senior citizen or elder abuse and file a petition for PO as provided under Section 15 of this
Act, if warranted.

SEC. 11. Establishment of Senior Citizen Help Desk. - The NCSC, in coordination with
the DILG, shall establish a Senior Citizen Help Desk in every barangay and police station
which shall provide immediate assistance to victim-survivors of domestic violence against a
senior citizen or elder abuse.

The Senior Citizen Help Desk may be manned by representatives of the senior citizen
sector or by members of a local senior citizen organization designated and authorized by the
Barangay Council or Punong Barangay.

SEC. 12. Special Prosecution Units. - The DOJ shall establish special units to handle
complaints of domestic violence against a senior citizen or elder abuse, and the prosecution
thereof.

SEC. 13. Venue. - The Regional Trial Court (RTC) designated as a Family Court shall
have original and exclusive jurisdiction over cases of domestic violence against a senior citizen
or elder abuse. In the absence of such in the place where the offense was committed, the
complaint may be filed at any RTC where the offense or any of its elements was committed at
the option of the complainant.


SEC. 14. Protection Orders. ~ A Protection Order (PO) is an injunction under this Act
that may be requested or issued to prevent further acts of domestic violence against a senior
citizen or elder abuse as provided under Section 4 of this Act, and to grant other necessary
reliefs. The provisions of the PO shall be enforced by law enforcement agencies. The PO that
may be issued under this Act are Barangay Protection Order (BPO), Temporary Protection
Order (TPO), and Permanent Protection Order (PPO).

The PO issued under this Act may include any or all of the following reliefs:

a) Prohibition of the respondent or offender from threatening to commit, personally or
through another, any of the acts enumerated under Sec. 4 of this Act;

b) Whenever applicable, issuance of an order to the respondent or offender to
immediately leave the domicile or residence of the petitioner. If personal effects must be
removed from the residence, the Court shall direct a law enforcement officer to accompany the
respondent to the residence until such time that respondent has gathered all belongings, and to
escort the respondent from the residence: Provided, that the victim or the aggrieved party shall
likewise be accorded the same protection contemplated herein;

) Issuance of an order to the respondent to stay away from the petitioner at a distance
to be determined by the Court: Provided, That the order shall ensure the physical safety of the
petitioner in the residence, place of work and such other places frequented by the petitioner;

4) Prohibition of the respondent from directly or indirectly communicating or contacting
the petitioner;

e) Issuance of an order to the proper law enforcement offices to enforce the provisions
of this Section;

f) Issuance of an order to the DSWD and the Social Welfare Development Office
(SWDO) of the LGU concerned to provide therapy. counseling and other support services to
the aggrieved party or parties;

g) Issuance of an order for the restitution for actual damages caused by the violence
inflicted, including damage to property, medical expenses, and loss of income; and

h) Other reliefs deemed necessary by the Court for the protection of the petitioner and
such other persons who may be in need of the same.

SEC. 15. Application Process for PO. - The application for A PO must be in writing,
signed and verified under oath by the applicant. If the applicant is not the victim, the application
must be accompanied by an affidavit of the applicant attesting to the circumstances of the
disclosure of the violence or abuse suffered by the victim and the circumstances of consent, or
lack thereof, given by the victim for the filing of the application.

If the disclosure of the address of the aggrieved senior citizen poses danger to that
person's life, the applicant shall attest in the application that the victim is residing in the
municipality or city over which the Court has territorial jurisdiction, and shall provide a mailing
address for the service of the court processes.


The standard application form for PO shall include the following information:
a) Names and addresses of petitioner and respondent;

b) Description of relationship between petitioner and respondent, in the case of domestic
violence against a senior citizen within the context of Section 4 of this Act;

c) A statement of the circumstances and the nature of violence or abuse;

4) Description of the reliefs requested by the petitioner as specified in Section 14 of this
Act;

e) Request for counsel and reasons for such request;

£) Request for waiver of application fees until hearing; and

g) Attestation that there is no pending application for a PO in another Court.

Barangay officials and court personnel shall assist applicants in the preparation of the
application. Law enforcement officers shall also extend assistance in the application for
protection orders in cases brought to their attention.

SEC. 16. Who May File. - The following persons may file the petition for a PO:

a) The offended party;

b) Any member of the family or household of the victim;

c) Local social welfare development officers or any accredited social welfare
organization;

4) Law enforcement officer or agent;
©) Lawyer, counselor, therapist or healthcare provider of the petitioner; and

£) Any concemed responsible citizen of the community who has personal knowledge of
the offense committed.

‘The filing of application for a PO shall be at no cost to the applicant. An application for
a PO filed with the court shall be considered an application for both a TPO and a PPO.

SEC. 17. Transfer of Residence. ~ A petitioner previously granted a BPO under this Act
and who desires to relocate to a new residence outside the original city or municipality of
residence must apply for a new BPO.

When a court of competent jurisdiction issues a PO and the petitioner transfers to a
location outside the issuing court's jurisdiction, such petitioner may seek enforcement of the
PO in the new location by submitting a petition for enforcement to the court which has
territorial jurisdiction over the place of residence where the petitioner has transferred. The


petition to enforce the order shall include a copy of the previously obtained PO. The respondent
shall be notified of the issuance of a new PO.

SEC. 18. Legal Representation of Applicant for a PO. ~ \f the petitioner for the PO is
requesting for the appointment of a counsel because of lack of economic means to hire a
counsel, the Court shall immediately direct the Public Attorney's Office (PAO) who has
jurisdiction over the case to represent the petitioner in the hearing on the application sought.
“The applicant who cannot afford to hire the services of a private counsel or lacks access to
family or conjugal resources such as when the same are controlled by the offender spouse, shall
qualify for legal representation by the DOJ, the Public Prosecutors Office or the PAO.
However, a private counsel offering free legal service is not barred from representing the
petitioner with the consent of the petitioner, and with the leave of Court.

SEC. 19. Barangay Protection Order. - A Barangay Protection Order (BPO) is issued
by the Lupong Tagapamayapa and the Punong Barangay.

‘The issuance of a BPO or the pendency of an application for a BPO shall not preclude
the petitioner from applying for the Court from granting a TPO or PPO. Application for a BPO
shall follow the Rules on venue under the Local Government Code of 1991 and its
implementing rules and regulations.

‘A Punong Barangay who receives application for a BPO shall issue the PO to the
applicant on the date of filing after ex parte determination of the basis of the application. If the
Punong Barangay is unavailable to act on the application for a BPO, the application shall be
acted upon by any available Barangay Kagawad: Provided, That if the BPO is issued by a
Barangay Kagawad, the order must be accompanied by an attestation by the Barangay
Kagawad that the Punong Barangay is unavailable at the time for the issuance of the BPOA
BPO issued by the Punong Barangay and Barangay Kagawad covers the relief provided in
Section 14 of this Act and is effective for fifteen (15) days. Immediately after the issuance of
an ex parte BPO, the Punong Barangay or Kagawad shall personally serve copy of the same
to the respondent, or direct any barangay official to personally serve the order.

Within forty-eight (48) hours of issuance of an ex parte BPO, the Punong Barangay or
Barangay Kagawad must refer the case to the Lupong Tagapamayapa

Notice of the hearing shall be given to both parties. Subsequent to a hearing on the merits
of the application, the Lupong Tagapamayapa may extend a BPO for a period of six (6) months.
The issuance of a BPO shall not preclude any applicant from applying or receiving a subsequent
BPO concerning the same matter.

SEC. 20. Temporary Protection Oder. - A Temporary Protection Order (TPO) may be
issued by a Court prior to the issuance of a Permanent Protection Order (PPO) and shall be
based on an application under Section 15 of this Act. Any application for TPO or PPO must be
made with the RTC, Metropolitan Trial Court, Municipal Trial Court or Municipal Circuit Trial
Court with territorial jurisdiction over the place of residence of the offended family or the
senior citizen victim who suffered violence described under Section 4 of this Act: Provided,
That if a Family Court exists in the place of residence of the person for whom the application
is made, the application shall be filed with that Court.

Upon receipt of an application for a PO, the court shall:


a) Issue a TPO on the date of the filing of the application for ex parte determination that
such order shall be issued;

b) Schedule a hearing on the issuance of a PPO prior to or on the date of expiration of
the TPO; and

c) Order the immediate service of the TPO to the respondent by the court sheriff who
may obtain the assistance of law enforcement officers for the purpose.

‘The TPO shall include a notice of hearing on the merits of the issuance of PPO and shall
be effective for thirty (30) days.

SEC. 21. Permanent Protection Order. - A Permanent Protection Order (PPO) may be
issued only by the Court after due notice and hearing.

Any application for TPO or PPO must be made with the RTC, Metropolitan Trial Court,
Municipal Trial Court or Municipal Circuit Trial Court with territorial jurisdiction over their
place of residence of the offended family or the abused senior citizen who suffered violence
described under Section 4 of the Act: Provided, That if a Family Court exists in the place of
residence of the person for whom the application is made, the application shall be filed with
that Court.

Respondent's non-appearance despite proper notice, or lack of a lawyer, or the non-
availability of respondent's lawyer shall not be a ground for rescheduling or postponing the
hearing on the merits of the issuance of a PPO. If the respondent appears without counsel on
the date of the hearing on the PPO, the Court shall appoint a lawyer for the respondent and
immediately proceed with the hearing. In case the respondent fails to appear despite proper
notice, the Court shall allow ex parte presentation of the evidence by the applicant and render
judgment on the basis of the evidence presented. The Court shall allow the introduction of any
history of abusive conduct of a respondent even if the same was not directed against the
applicant or the person for whom the application is made.

The court shall, to extent possible, conduct the hearing on the merits of the issuance of a
PPO in one (1) day. Where the court is unable to conduct the hearing within one (1) day and
the TPO issued is due to expire, the court shall continuously extend or renew the TPO for the
duration of the case until final judgment is issued: Provided, however, That the PPO may be
modified by the Court accordingly to address the needs of the applicant.

The Court may grant any, some, or all of the reliefs provided in the PPO under Section
15 of this Act. A PPO shall be effective until revoked by a Court upon application of the person
in whose favor the order was issued. The Court shall ensure immediate service of the PPO on
respondent.

Issuance of a PO may not be denied on the basis of the lapse of time between the act of
domestic violence against a senior citizen or elder abuse, and the filing of the application.

Regardless of the conviction or acquittal of the respondent, the Court must determine
whether or not the PPO is final. Even in a dismissal, a PPO may still be granted as long as there
is proof that the act or acts complained of still exist.


Failure to act on an application for a PO within the period specified in the previous
sections without justifiable cause shall render the Lupong Tagapamayapa, the Punong
Barangay ot the Barangay Kagawad, the Official or Judge administratively liable.

SEC. 22. Priority Action on PO Application. ~ Hearings on applications for a PO under
this Act shall have priority over all other proceedings. Barangay officials, Lupong
Tagapamayapa and the courts shall schedule and conduct hearings on applications for a PO
under this Act above all other business and, if necessary, suspend other proceedings in order to
hear applications for a PO. Respondents shall be notified of the issuance of a PO.

SEC. 23. Prohibited Acts. — It shall be unlawful for a Lupong Tagapamayapa, Punong
Barangay, ot the court hearing an application for a PO to order, direct, force or in any way
influence the applicant of a PO in the application of a PO or to compromise or abandon any of
the reliefs sought in the application. Violation of this Section shall render the concerned
individuals, official or Judge administratively liable.

SEC. 24. Violation of Protection Order. — A complaint on the violation of a BPO issued
under this Act shall be filed directly with any Municipal Trial Court, Metropolitan Trial Court,
or Municipal Circuit Trial Court that has territorial jurisdiction over the barangay that issued
the BPO. Violation of a BPO shall be punishable by imprisonment of thirty (30) days without
prejudice to any other criminal or civil action that the offended party may file for any of the
acts committed under Section 4 of this Act.

A judgment on a violation of a BPO may be appealed in accordance with the Rules of
Court. During trial and upon judgment, the trial court may motu proprio issue a PO as it deems
necessary without need of an application.

A violation of any provision of a TPO or a PPO issued under this Act shall constitute as
contempt of Court punishable under the Rules of Court, without prejudice to any other criminal
or civil action that the offended party may file for any of the acts committed in accordance with
Section 4 hereof.

Any violation of a PO issued under this Act shall constitute an offense punishable by
imprisonment of thirty (30) days, without prejudice to any criminal or civil action that the
offended party may file against a person who has committed any acts described in Section 4 of
this Act.

The complainant may file a complaint on a PO violation directly with the Court that
issued the order, or with that Court in the place of residence of the complainant, if the former
is not practicable. A criminal case for violation of a PO shall be tried and resolved by the Court
within sixty (60) days from the date the complaint was filed. The Court, upon determination of
probable cause, shall cause the arrest of the accused who may post bail in the interim in an
amount to be determined by the Court.

‘A judgement on a violation of a PO may be appealed according to the Rules of Criminal
Procedure. During trial and upon judgement, the Court may motu proprio issue a PO as it
deems necessary.


SEC. 25. Hold Departure Order. — A hold departure order shall be issued immediately
by the Court against the respondent in cases prosecuted under this Act.

SEC. 26. Penalties. — Acts falling under Section 4 (a) constituting attempted, frustrated
or consummated parricide or murder or homicide shall be punished in accordance with the
provisions of the Revised Penal Code.

Acts falling under Section 4 resulting in mutilation shall be punishable in accordance
with the Revised Penal Code: Provided, That acts resulting in:

a) Serious physical injuries shall be punishable with the penalty of prision mayor:
b) Less serious physical injuries shall be punishable by prison correccional; and
¢) Slight physical injuries shall be punishable by arresto mayor.

All other acts enumerated in Section 4 shall be punishable by prison correccional and a
fine of not less than One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) but not more than Three
hundred thousand pesos (P300,000.00).

In addition to these penalties, a person found guilty of any of the acts enumerated in
Section 4 of this Act shall be required to undergo mandatory psychological counseling or
psychiatric treatment and shall report compliance therewith to the court.

A Barangay Official or law enforcement officer who fails to respond to any request for
assistance or protection from or on behalf of a victim of domestic violence against a senior
citizen or elder abuse under this Act shall suffer the penalty of imprisonment not less than six
(6 months but not more than one (1) year, at the discretion of the Court and pay a fine of not
less than Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00), but not more than Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00),
without prejudice to the institution of applicable administrative charges.

Any person who has personal knowledge or has witnessed the commission of the offense
described in Section 4 of this Act and fails to report the same shall be liable for a fine of not
less than Ten thousand pesos (P10,000.00), without prejudice to the institution of applicable
administrative charges.

SEC. 27. Programs and Interventions. ~ To ensure that the rights and welfare of senior
citizens are protected, the NCSC shall develop and implement the following:

a) Establish a clear advocacy or information programs to increase public awareness and
minimize risks of neglect, domestic violence and elder abuse against senior citizens;

b) Include training on the prevention, detection and management of social problems of
senior citizens among healthcare professionals and law enforcement officers, specifically on
the handling of elder abuse cases;

©) Encourage the development and utilization of resources that provide in-home services,
respite care, and stress reduction with high-risk families;


) Prioritize the enactment of measures that provide social protection to the elderly and
reduce their socio-economic and political disparities;

€) Initiate or enhance existing programs and services for senior citizens that are gender-
responsive, rights-based, and culture-sensitive to ensure that specific needs and concerns of
senior citizens are identified and addressed: and

8) Review school curricula and teaching modules through the DepEd and CHED to
highlight the importance of family values, filial piety, and respect for the elderly.

SEC. 28. Counseling and Treatment of Offenders. - The NCSC and the DSWD shall
provide rehabilitation counseling and treatment of offenders towards learning constructive
ways of coping with anger and emotional outburst. The offender shall be ordered by the Court
to submit to psychiatric treatment or confinement when necessary

SEC. 29. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within six (6) months from the
effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of the DSWD in coordination with the Chairperson of the
National Commission on Senior Citizens, Secretaries of Justice, the Interior and Local
Government (DILG) and Health shall formulate the necessary rules and regulations for the
effective implementation of this Act.

SEC. 30. Appropriations. — The amount necessary for the initial implementation of this
Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of the departments or agencies
concerned. Thereafter, such sum as may be necessary for its continued implementation shall
be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

The LGUs concemed may provide the necessary funds for purposes under this Act
charged against its respective local fund.

SEC. 31. Suppletory Application. ~ For purposes of this Act, the Revised Penal Code and
other applicable laws, shall have suppletory application.

SEC. 32. Separability Clause. — If any portion or provision of this Act is subsequently
declared invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby
shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 33. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, ordinances, administrative order, rules
and regulations, or any part thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act are repealed or
amended accordingly.

SEC. 34. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette and at least two (2) newspapers of national circulation,

Approved,