Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

Fifteenth Congress
Third Regular Session

House BillNo,_ 6683

Introduced by Senior Citizens Partylist Representative
HON. GODOFREDO V. ARQUIZA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

While the Constitution recognizes that it is the family which has the primordial duty to
care for its elderly members, it equally mandates the State to do its share through just programs
of social security.

In the Philippines, a well-developed social security system for the senior citizens,
particularly for those who have been abandoned or neglected, is practically non-existent, Senior
citizens have been traditionally dependent on their children and relatives for socio-economic and
physical support. However, oftentimes, because of poverty, their children and relatives are forced
to abandon them and are left to fend for themselves, roaming the streets or staying in unworthy
places.

‘This bill to establish a center for the homeless and abandoned senior citizens
every province in the country which shall be operated and maintained by the Department of
Social Welfare and Development in coordination with the concerned local government units.
Through such facility, homeless and abandoned senior citizens will be provided with the basic
s of comfortable living quarters, adequate food and clothing, medical and health care,
and occupational and recreational opportunities to enable them to live a decent and normal life.

For the foregoing reasons, the immediate passage of the proposed measure is earnestly
urged.

HON. GGDOFREDO V. ARQUIZA
Senior Cit}zens PartyList Representative


Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Mai

Fifteenth Congress

‘Third Regular Session

668s

House Bill No. _

Introduced by Senior Citizens Partylist Representative
HON. GODOFREDO V. ARQUIZA

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING CENTERS FOR THE HOMELESS AND ABANDONED SENIOR
CITIZENS IN EVERY PROVINCE AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.

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

SECTION 1. Title - This Act shall be known as the “Center for the Homeless and Abandoned
Senior Citizens Act”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy —It shall be the policy of the State to promote and protect
the right of its senior citizens to health and safety. To achieve this objective, the State shall
extend assistance to its senior citizens through programs of social care and security particularly
those who are homeless and who have been abandoned by their relatives and kin,

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms

a) Abandoned - shall refer to a senior citizen who has been deserted, permanently or
temporarily, by his relatives or persons who have general or legal responsibility over the
person, and / or from whom alll basic care have been withdrawn, whether wilfully or not,

b) Center - shall refer to the Center for the Homeless and Abandoned Senior Ci

©) Homeless ~ shall refer to a senior citizen who lacks a fixed, regular residence, or whose
residence is a place not designed for or ordinarily used for human habitation, or lacks the
resources or support networks to obtain a permanent housing.



@) Senior Citizens - shall refer to any resident citizen of the Philippines at least sixty (60)
years of age

SECTION 4. Establishment of Centers for the Homeless and Abandoned Senior Citizens -
There shall be established in every province a Center for the Homeless and Abandoned Senior
Citizens to be operated and maintained by the Department of Social Welfare and Development in
coordination with the local government units concerned.

SECTION 5. Functions of the Center — The Center shall provide homeless and abandoned
senior citizens within its territorial jurisdiction the following services :

a) Comfortable living quarters;

b) Adequate food and clothing:

©) Medical and health care;

d) Occupational opportunities; and,

e) Recreational and social interaction activities.

SECTION 6. Appropriations ~ The establishment, operation and maintenance of the Centers
shall be funded from the following sources :

1) From the annual appropriations of the Department from the General Appropriations Act;

2) Three percent (3%) of the Philippine Gaming Corporation’s. (PAGCOR) annual net
income; and,

3) Three percent (3%) of the Philippine C
income.

ity Sweepstakes Offi

s (PCSO) annual net

SECTION 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations ~The Department of Social Welfare and
hall formulate the:
s and regulations necessary for the effective implementation of this Act within 90 days after
its effectivity.

Development, in consultation with the provincial governments concerned,
rul

8 Repealing Clause - Any law, executive orders and issuances, rules and
regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby deemed repealed or modified
accordingly.

SECTION 9. Effeetivity Clause - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved.