TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
S.B. No.
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SENATE
1302
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25 AUG 27 P5S1
RECEIVED BY:
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE GERIATRIC CENTER UNDER THE 
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that there are 12.3 million 
senior citizens in the country. They constitute 11.31% of the country's total population 
as of May 2020.
The country is projected to transition to an aging population between 2025 to 
20301. The increasing number of older people will have implications for their pensions 
and their overall health.
In 2019, more than half or 55% of our senior citizens have no pension, 23% 
receive a pension from the private sector, 6% receive a pension from the government, 
and 16% receive a social pension of only P5002.
Furthermore, the Department of Health (DOH) reported geriatric wards' 
unavailability and a shortage of geriatricians3.
Most of our aging population have little to no financial means, making the highly 
specialized field of geriatric medical and long-term care even more out of reach. Thus, 
a need for accessible and quality health care for older people to respond to their health 
and medical conditions, risks, and vulnerabilities.
This bill seeks to address these gaps through the establishment of the Philippine
1 Philippine Statistics Authority, Provision of Care for Filipino Older Persons and Responding to the Needs of 
Aging Societies, Feb. 2019, available at:
https://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/events/pdf/expert/29/session8/EGM 26Feb2019 S8 Plene
eGraceJCastillo.pdf
2 Senate Committee Flearing on the National Commission of Senior Citizens Act, Jan. 2019
3 DOH - Health Facility Development Bureau, Research and Performance Management Division, Oct. 2019, 
available at:
https://psa.gov.ph/sites/default/files/8.3.1%20Profile%20of%20Geriatric%20Wards%20and%20Accessibilitv%2
0of%20Health%20Services%20for%20Senior%20Citizens.pdf
1


Geriatric Center (PGC) under the Department of Health. It renames and upgrades the 
existing National Center for Geriatric Health (NCGH) into a tertiary specialty hospital 
dedicated to the care, treatment, and rehabilitation of the elderly. As the National 
Specialty Referral Center for geriatric care, the PGC will provide specialized services, 
promote geriatric research, facilitate education and training for healthcare providers, 
and coordinate a national approach to elderly healthcare.
The bill also mandates the creation of a National Geriatric Health Service 
Delivery Plan and the establishment of regional geriatric centers to ensure nationwide 
accessibility to services. It further proposes the development of a Geriatric Human 
Resource Development Program, to build the country's capacity in geriatric care 
through scholarships, incentives, and professional development.
To fund its establishment and initial operations, the bill allocates an initial 
appropriation of Five Hundred Million Pesos (P500,000,000), to be released in phases 
over three years. The funding for its continued operations and expansion shall be 
included in the General Appropriations Act annually.
Moreover, the bill institutionalizes accountability through the creation of a Joint 
Congressional Oversight Committee on Geriatric Health Services, tasked with 
monitoring implementation, evaluating performance, and recommending policy 
improvements. A periodic review mechanism ensures adaptability and responsiveness 
to emerging challenges.
In sum, this proposed measure embodies the State's constitutional duty to 
promote the right to health and social justice. It responds to the pressing need to 
build a healthcare system that respects the dignity and well-being of our senior 
citizens. The Philippine Geriatric Center Act is a step forward in ensuring that no 
Filipino is left behind in aging with dignity, care, and respect.
As such, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
RISA HONTIVEROS O 
Senator


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TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
S.B. No.
)
)
)
SENATE
1302
9^ gjcuate
^}i0f(iCP ol tl)C ©arctarjj
25 AUG 27 P5S1
received BY;,
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE GERIATRIC CENTER UNDER THE 
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS 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 "Philippine Geriatric 
Center Act."
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared a policy of the State 
to protect and promote the right to health of the Filipino people and to instill health 
consciousness among them.
Towards this end, the State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive 
approach to health development. It shall ensure that quality health services are 
accessible and available to them by establishing a specialized hospital that will cater 
to their medical and health needs.
Sec. 3. Philippine Geriatric Center. - The National Center for Geriatric 
Health (NCGH), located in San Miguel, Manila, is hereby renamed as the Philippine 
Geriatric Center (PGC) and established as a tertiary specialty hospital under the direct 
control and supervision of the Department of Health to ensure the healthcare and 
quality of life of our older and aging population.
Provided, That the existing hospital development plan, current bed capacity, 
and service capabilities, including organizational structure and staffing requirements, 
shall be updated and upgraded consistent with the given mandate under this Act.
Provided, further. That the Department of Health (DOH) shall formulate a 
National Geriatric Health Service Delivery Plan, which shall include the establishment 
of regional geriatric centers within five (5) years from the effectivity of this Act to 
ensure equitable access to geriatric care.
Sec. 4. Purposes and Objectives. - The PGC shall have the following 
purposes and objectives:


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a) Equip, maintain, administer, and operate an integrated medical institution 
which shall specialize in geriatric health services; 
b) Promote medical services to the elderly and scientific research/data base 
relative to the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, care, rehabilitation, and relief 
of diseases of older people and the aging population,
b) Establish and maintain a National Geriatric Health Registry, which shall collect 
and update data on the health status, care needs, and service utilization of the 
elderly population;
c) 
Provide education and training for physicians, nurses, officers, social workers, 
barangay health workers, and other medical and technical personnel in the 
practice and scientific implementation of health services to older people and 
the aging population;
d) Coordinate the various efforts and activities of other government agencies and 
local government units for the purpose of achieving a comprehensive and 
integrated approach to geriatric health and healthcare service delivery;
e) Develop and implement a Geriatric Human Resource Development Program 
that will provide scholarships, incentives, and continuing professional 
development for healthcare workers specializing in geriatrics, in coordination 
with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Professional 
Regulation Commission (PRC); and
f) Ensure the integration of geriatric services within the Universal Health Care 
(UHC) framework, including PhilHealth coverage for age-related conditions, 
long-term care, and preventive health services.
Sec. 5. Referral System. - The PGC shall be the National Specialty Referral 
Center for all private and government facilities for specialized geriatric care.
Sec. 6. Appropriations. - An initial amount of Five Hundred Million Pesos 
(PhP 500,000,000) shall be appropriated for the upgrading, capacity-building, and 
initial operations of the PGC.
Provided, That said funding shall be released in phases over a three-year 
period, subject to periodic performance evaluation and progress reports submitted to 
Congress.
Provided, further. That the Secretary of Health shall immediately include in the 
Department's program the implementation of this Act, the funding of which shall be 
included in the subsequent Annual General Appropriations Act.
Thereafter, the amount necessary for the continued operation of the hospital, 
including its upgrading and expansion of services, shall be included in the annual 
General Appropriations Act.
Sec. 7. Joint Congressional Oversight Committee. - There is hereby 
created a Joint Congressional Oversight Committee on Geriatric Health Services to 
oversee, monitor, and evaluate the implementation of the provisions of this Act.


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It shall be composed often (10) members: five (5) members from the Senate, 
to be appointed by the Senate President, at least one (1) of whom shall be from the 
minority, and must include the Chairpersons of the Committees on Health and 
Demography; Finance; and Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development; and five 
(5) members from the House of Representatives, to be appointed by the Speaker of 
the House, at least one (1) of whom shall be from the minority, and must include the 
Chairpersons of the Committees on Health; Appropriations; and Senior Citizens.
The Joint Congressional Oversight Committee shall have the following powers 
and functions: to review and evaluate the implementation of this Act, including 
compliance with its mandates, utilization of funds, and the performance of the 
Philippine Geriatric Center; conduct hearings, inspections, and consultations with the 
Department of Health (DOH), the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC), local 
government units (LGUs), medical professionals, and other stakeholders; require the 
DOH and the Philippine Geriatric Center to submit periodic reports, including an annual 
performance report and audited financial statements; and recommend remedial 
legislation, budgetary support, or policy actions to strengthen the delivery of geriatric 
health services nationwide.
Sec. 8. Periodic Review. - Within five (5) years from the effectivity of this 
Act, and every five (5) years thereafter, the Department of Health shall conduct a 
comprehensive review of the implementation of this Act and submit a report to 
Congress, including recommendations for legislative or policy amendments
Sec. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of Health 
shall, in consultation and coordination with appropriate government agencies such as 
the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Civil Service Commission (CSC), 
National Commission on Senior Citizens (NCSC), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), 
Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), and other stakeholders, within ninety (90) 
days from the effectivity of this Act, promulgate the Implementing Rules and 
Regulations for the effective and efficient implementation of the provisions of this Act.
Sec. 10. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other 
provisions hereof.
Sec. 11. Repealing Clause. — All existing laws, decrees, executive orders, 
rules and regulations, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby 
repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
Sec. 12. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general 
circulation.
Approved,