NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
SE 
S. Nomi
of tljf ^rcretarp
72 JUL18 PI 48
mevEuw
Introduced by Senator Grace Poe
AN ACT
TO ESTABLISH PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES TO AID VICTIMS OF ELDER 
ABUSE, AND PROVIDE TRAINING TO HEATH AND GOVERNMENT 
PROFESSIONALS IN THE ASSISTANCE OF SUCH VICTIMS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Constitution, Article 2, Section 11, provides:
The State values the dignity of every human person 
and guarantees full respect for human rights.
Article 15, Section 4 provides:
The family has the duty to take care of its elderly 
members but the State may also do so through just 
programs of social security.
f
The traditionai high regard for older persons remains characteristic of Filipino 
families. This notwithstanding, theii special needs such as health cere, safety, 
security and other social services need to be addressed not only by their families and 
communities but also by the whole government machinery. They are vulnerable to 
neglect as the pressures of economic survival impinge on Filipino families. In 1970, 
for every one elderly there were about 11 working people from whom support could 
be drawn. By 2020, studies indicate that there will only be six people of productive 
age to support the elderly.


• 
Financial exploitation - Financial exploitation involves the unauthorized use of 
an elderly person's funds or property, either by a caregiver or an outside 
scam artist.
• 
Healthcare fraud and abuse - Examples of healthcare fraud and abuse include 
charging for healthcare, which has not been provided, overcharging or double 
billing for services.
This bill proposes the establishment of an assistance program to victims of elder 
abuse and the training of health and government professionals in the assistance of 
such victims.1
1 This bill was originally filed in the third regular session of the 14th Congress.
3


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHIQPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
00''(©fficp of tlje g^rcrffar^
’22 JUL18 PI :48
SEN
S.Nd
Introduced by Senator Grace Poe
AN ACT
TO ESTABLISH PROGRAMS AND ACnVITIES TO AID VICTIMS OF ELDER 
ABUSE, AND PROVIDE TRAINING TO HEATH AND GOVERNMENT 
PROFESSIONALS IN THE ASSISTANCE OF SUCH VICTIMS
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Elder Victim
2 
Assistance Act of 2022."
3 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy - It is the policy of the State to protect and
4 
promote the right to health and safety of the elderly. Towards this end, it shall
5 
ensure that there will be: (1) coordination among service systems and disciplines to
6 
prevent elder abuse.and combat crimes against the elderly; (2) increase knowledge
7 
among professionals serving the elderly about elder abuse; (3) increase public
8 
awareness of elder abuse and the seriousness of crimes against the elderly; and (4)
9 
promote public education of the elderly to enable them to avoid being victimized,
10 
abused, or exploited.
11 
Sec. 3. Definitions. - For purposes of this Act, the term:
12 
a) "Elder" - refers to an Individual age 60 or older.
13 
b) "Elder abuse" - refers to a single, or repeated act, or lack of appropriate
14 
action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of
15 
trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person.
16 
c) "DSWD" - shall refer to the Department of Social Work and Development.
17 
d) "Secretary" - shall refer to the Secretary of the Department of Social Work
18 
and Development (DSWD).
19 
e) "DOF" - shall refer to the Department of Finance.
1


1 
f) "DOH" - shall refer to the Department of Health.
2 
g) "DILG" - shall refer to the Department of Interior and Local Government.
3 
Sec. 4. Establishment of Elder Victim Assistance and Programs. - An inter-
4 
agency task force shall be created, mandated to establish and implement an Elder
5 
Victim Assistance Program. The task force shall be chaired by the DSWD. The other
6 
members of this task force shall include the DOF, the DOH, the DILG, non-
7 
government organizations such as the National Federation of Senior Citizens
8 
Association of the Philippines (NFSCAP) and the Coalition of Social Services for the
9 
Elderly (COSE). The program shall be Implemented in coordination with relevant
10 
national and local and community-based public entities such as the municipal Office
11 
of Senior Citizens,Affairs (OSCA), private agencies and other entities relating to elder
12 
abuse, neglect, and exploitation and other crimes against elderly individuals. The
13 
program shall provide services to all victims of elder abuse. The services shall
14 
include:
15 
1) Immediate, short-term emergency services. Including shelter, care
16 
services, food, clothing, transportation to medical or legal appointment as
17 
appropriate, and any other life services deemed necessary by the entity
18 
for victims of elder abuse.
19 
2) Counseling and assistance for victims of elder abuse in accessing health
20 
care, educational, pension, or other benefits for which seniors may be
21 
eligible under law.
22 
3) Mental health screenings for victims of elder abuse to identify and seek
23 
assistance for potential mental health disorders such as depression or
24 
substance abuse.
25 
4) Emergency legal advocacy for victims of elder abuse and, as appropriate,
26 
their families.
27 
5) lob placement assistance and information on employment, training, or
28 
volunteer opportunities for victims of elder abuse.
29 
6) Bereavement counseling for families of victims of elder abuse.
30 
7) Education of the elderly to enable them to avoid being victimized, abused,
31 
or exploited.
32 
8) Other services considered appropriate for purposes of the program.


1 
Sec. 5. Technical Assistance - The Secretary of the DSWD, as task force
2 
director, shall enter into contracts with private entities with experience in elder
3 
abuse coordination or victim services to provide such technical assistance as the
4 
entity determines appropriate.
5 
Sec. 6. Reports from law enforcement agencies. - Law enforcement agencies
6 
shall submit quarterly reports to the Task Force on incidents of elder abuse.
7 
Sec. 7. Public information on elderly abuse. - The task force shall
8 
immediately adopt a program that shall raise awareness of the public on the issue of
9 
elder abuse.
10 
Sec. 8. Continuing Education and Training of Health Personnel and Service
11 
Providers on Elder Abuse. - All DSWD and DOH staff and professionals providing
12 
various health services are mandated to undergo a mandatory continuing education
13 
and training program to sensitize and empower them to become effective front-
14 
liners in the delivery of health service to the victims of elderly abuse .
15 
Sec. 9. Appropriation. —To carry out the provisions of this Act, such amount
16 
as may be necessary Is hereby authorized to be appropriated from the National
17 
Treasury. Thereafter, the amount necessary for the continuous operation of this
18 
Elder Victim Program shall be included in the annual appropriation of the DSWD.
19 
Sec. IX). Separability Clause. -- If any provision or part of this Act is held
20 
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise
21 
affected shall remain valid and subsisting.
22 
Sec. 11. Repealing Clause. ~ Any law, presidential decree or Issuance,
23 
executive order, letter of Instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contraiy
24 
to or Is inconsistent with the provision of this Act is repealed, modified, or amended
25 
accordingly.
26 
Sec. 12. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
27 
Its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved.