TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
Senate Bill No. ^44
I'd JllL 14 P2 SO
Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT
MANDATING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF NURSING HOMES FOR 
THE ABANDONED, NEGLECTED, UNATTACHED, OR HOMELESS 
SENIOR CITIZENS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC 
ACT NO. 7432, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS "AN ACT TO MAXIMIZE 
THE CONTRIBUTION OF SENIOR CITIZENS TO NATION 
BUILDING, GRANT BENEFITS AND SPECIAL PRIVILEGES AND 
FOR OTHER PURPOSES," AS AMENDED, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Recent data underscores a critical demographic shift in the Philippines: the 
ageing of its population. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), as of 
2020, there were 9,242,121 Filipinos aged 60 and above, and 5,866,831 aged 65 and 
above. These figures represent 8.5% and 5.4% of the total population of 109,033,245, 
respectively. These numbers are expected to grow significantly in the coming decades 
due to improvements in life expectancy and declining birth rates.
Culturally, Filipinos have long taken pride in caring for their elderly at home. The 
notion of institutionalizing care--such as placing aging family members in nursing 
homes--is often foreign and, in many cases, frowned upon. It is deeply ingrained in 
the Filipino identity to look after our elderly parents, grandparents, and relatives, 
particularly during the twilight of their lives.
Unfortunately, the reality on the ground reveals a much more troubling picture. 
Across cities and towns, it is not uncommon to see elderly individuals begging, selling 
small goods on sidewalks, or sleeping outside train stations, churches, and other public 
spaces. Flomelessness among senior citizens has emerged as a deeply concerning 
issue.


This problem arises from a combination of socioeconomic and emotional factors. 
Many families are simply unable to provide the financial and logistical support needed 
to care for their aging members. Others may neglect or exclude elderly relatives, 
leading some senior citizens to voluntarily leave their homes due to feelings of 
abandonment or mistreatment. Current estimates suggest that as many as 90% of 
senior citizens in the country do not receive adequate care.1
The 1987 Philippine Constitution, under Section 11, Article XIII, clearly provides 
that "the State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health 
development which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health and other social 
services available to all the people at affordable cost. There shall be priority for the 
needs of the underprivileged, sick, elderly, disabled, women, and children. The State 
shall endeavor to provide free medical care to paupers."
In line with this constitutional directive and in response to this growing crisis, 
the proposed measure seeks to institutionalize the care and protection of elderly 
Filipinos by mandating the establishment of at least one residential care facility, group 
home, or nursing home in every province and highly urbanized city. These facilities 
are envisioned to provide not only safe and secure shelter but also essential services 
that uphold the dignity and well-being of elderly residents. This includes the provision 
of nutritious food, proper clothing, medical and healthcare services, and psychosocial 
support. In addition, programs will be implemented to promote literacy, livelihood and 
vocational training, religious and cultural engagement, and efforts to reconnect 
estranged elderly individuals with their families through outreach and dialogue.
Through this measure, the State affirms its commitment to ensuring that no 
elderly Filipino is left behind. It seeks to turn compassion into policy by creating a 
system of care that respects the worth of every senior citizen, upholding our cultural 
values while addressing the urgent social realities of our time.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
ILLANUEVA
1 Senior Citizen Benefits: It's More Fun to Live in PH in your Goiden Years. Published on May 19, 2022. Retrieved 
from https://www.lumina.com.ph/news-and-blogs/blogs/senior-citizen-benefits-its-more-fun-to-live-in-ph-in- 
your-golden-years/(Last accessed on July 7, 2025).


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
Senate Bill No.
25 JlJL 14 P2 SO
044
Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA
AN ACT
MANDATING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF NURSING HOMES FOR 
THE ABANDONED, NEGLECTED, UNATTACHED, OR HOMELESS 
SENIOR CITIZENS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC 
ACT NO. 7432, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS "AN ACT TO MAXIMIZE 
THE CONTRIBUTION OF SENIOR CITIZENS TO NATION 
BUILDING, GRANT BENEFITS AND SPECIAL PRIVILEGES AND 
FOR OTHER PURPOSES," AS AMENDED, AND FOR OTHER 
PURPOSES
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 "Homes for the 
Elderly Act"
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State 
to value the dignity of every human person and guarantee full respect for human 
rights, extend assistance to its elderly citizens through programs of social security, and 
promote the right to health and safety of its senior citizens. Towards this end, the 
State shall extend assistance to neglected and homeless senior citizens by establishing 
nursing homes that will provide shelter and assistance for this marginalized sector.
SEC. 3. Nursing Homes.-SeCi\ov\ 5 of Republic Act No. 7432, otherwise known 
as "An Act to Maximize the Contribution of Senior Citizens to Nation Building, Grant 
Benefits and Special Privileges and for Other Purposes" as amended, is hereby 
amended to read as follows;
1


1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
"SEC. 5. Government Assistance. - The government shall provide the 
following:
XXX
(d) Social Services
At least fifty percent (50%) discount shall be granted on the 
consumption of electricity, water, and telephone by the senior citizens 
center and residential care/group homes that are government-run or non­
stock, non-profit domestic corporation organized and operated primarily for 
the purpose of promoting the well-being of abandoned, neglected, 
unattached, or homeless senior citizens, subject to the guidelines 
formulated by the DSWD.
IN ADDITION, THESE RESIDENTIAL CARE, GROUP HOMES OR 
NURSING HOMES SHALL BE EXEMPTED FROM THE PAYMENT OF 
CUSTOMS DUTIES, TAXES, AND TARIFFS ON THE PURCHASE AND 
IMPORTATION OF EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES USED ACTUALLY, 
DIRECTLY, AND EXCLUSIVELY BY THE NURSING HOME PURSUANT 
TO THIS ACT, INCLUDING THOSE DONATED TO THEM. ALL 
DONATIONS MADE TO THESE FACILITIES SHALL ALSO BE EXEMPT 
FROM DONOR'S TAXES AND SHALL BE ALLOWED AS A DEDUCTION 
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE NATIONAL INTERNAL REVENUE 
CODE, AS AMENDED. THESE NURSING HOMES SHALL LIKEWISE BE 
EXEMPT FROM PAYMENT OF LOCAL BUSINESS TAXES.
XXX
(4) "substitute family care" in the form of residential care, [of] group 
homes, or NURSING HOMES for the abandoned, neglected, unattached, 
or homeless senior citizens and those incapable of self-care: PROVIDED, 
THAT THERE SHALL BE AT LEAST ONE (1) RESIDENTIAL CARE, 
GROUP HOME, OR NURSING HOME IN EVERY PROVINCE AND 
HIGHLY URBANIZED CITIES: PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT IN 
ADDITION TO PROVIDING A COMFORTABLE AND SAFE LIVING 
QUARTERS, THE SERVICES THAT THESE ESTABLISHMENTS SHALL 
OFFER SHALL INCLUDE:


1 
(i) ADEQUATE AND NURTRITIOUS FOOD;
2 
(li) CLOTHING;
3 
(iii) MEDICAL AND HEALTH CARE SERVICES;
4 
(iv) COUNSELLING;
5 
(v) FAMILY OUTREACH, RECONCILIATION AND DIALOGUE;
6 
(vi) LITERACY AND OTHER VOCATIONAL OR LIVELIHOOD
7 
TRAINING; AND
8 
(vil) RELIGIOUS, CULTURAL AND VOCATIONAL ACTIVITIES;
9 
PROVIDED, FINALLY, THAT THE DSWD, LGUS, NATIONAL
10 
COMMISSION OF SENIOR CITIZENS, AND OTHER APPROPRIATE
11 
AGENCIES SHALL COORDINATE AMONG EACH OTHER FOR THE
12 
ESTABLISHMENT, MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF THESE
13 
FACILITIES.
14 
SEC. 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days
15 
from the effectivity of this Act, the DSWD, in coordination with the Department of the
16 
Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Health (DOH), the National
17 
Commission of Senior Citizens, the Federation of Senior Citizens Associations of the
18 
Philippines, and other appropriate government agencies, the Confederation of Older
19 
Persons Associations of the Philippines, and other concerned stakeholders, shall issue
20 
the rules and regulations to effectively implement the provisions this Act.
21 
SEC. 5. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions
22 
of this Act shall be included in the General Appropriations Act of the year following its
23 
enactment into law and every year thereafter.
24 
SEC. 6. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared
25 
unconstitutional, the remainder hereof or any provisions not affected thereby shall
26 
remain in force and effect.
27 
SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
28 
executive order, letter of instruction, rule, or regulation inconsistent with the provisions
29 
of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
30 
SEC. 8. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
31 
complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,