Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Batasan Hills, Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by  
HON. ATTY. GERVILLE “JINKY BITRICS” R. LUISTRO 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A NURSING HOME FOR HOMELESS AND ABANDONED 
SENIOR CITIZENS IN EVERY CITY OR MUNICIPALITY IN THE PHILIPPINES, 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Elderly abandonment in the Philippines, a country known for its cultural characteristic of 
strong family ties, is a growing yet often overlooked issue. Despite the cultural emphasis on 
familial care, reports of neglected elderly are quietly increasing. The lack of numbers and studies 
on homelessness and abandonment of elderly are just as concerning, as this reflects the 
invisibility of issue to society. 
Currently, the care for abandoned elderly individuals is largely shouldered by private and 
religious institutions, which may lack the resources and capacity to meet the increasing demand 
for elder care. 
The issue also stems from various factors, including the rising cost of living, inadequate 
health insurance coverage, and the increasingly demanding schedules of family members. These 
challenges leave many elderly individuals without the support and care they need. 
To address this, the proposed bill seeks to establish government-operated nursing homes 
in every city and municipality across the Philippines. Managed by the Department of Social 
Welfare and Development (DSWD), these facilities will provide comprehensive care for the 
elderly, ensuring their well-being, dignity, and access to essential services. This initiative reflects 
the government’s commitment to addressing the needs of an aging population and protecting its 
most vulnerable citizens. 
January 13, 2025
5:30 pm
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In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is urgently sought. 
HON. ATTY. GERVILLE “JINKY BITRICS” R. LUISTRO 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Batasan Hills, Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by  
HON. ATTY. GERVILLE “JINKY BITRICS” R. LUISTRO 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING A NURSING HOME FOR HOMELESS AND ABANDONED 
SENIOR CITIZENS IN EVERY CITY OR MUNICIPALITY IN THE PHILIPPINES, 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, 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 "Caring Homes for Uncared for 
Elders Act”. 
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to value the dignity 
of every human person, 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 senior 
citizens. Towards this end, the State shall extend assistance to abandoned and homeless senior 
citizens through a social care and security program. 
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms shall mean: 
a.
Elderly refers to any resident citizen of the Philippines at least fifty (50) years of age.
b. Abandoned Elderly refers to a senior citizen who has been deserted, permanently or
temporarily, by his relatives or persons who have general or legal responsibility over the
elderly, and/or from whom all basic care has been withdrawn, whether willfully or not;
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c. Homeless Elderly refers to an elderly who lacks a fixed, regular residence, or whose 
current residence is unfit for human habitation, or lacks resources to obtain proper 
housing; 
d. Elderly Care Homes refers to a home for the aged, established and maintained under this 
Act by a city or municipality which provides living accommodations, food and clothing, 
medical and health care, and recreational and social interaction activities for abandoned 
senior citizens or homeless senior citizens; 
 
Sec. 4. Establishment of Elderly Care Homes. - There shall be established in every municipality 
and city, an elderly care home to serve abandoned elderly and homeless elderly, to be built by 
the local government units (LGUs) concerned and shall be operated and maintained by the 
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in coordination with the LGUs 
concerned. 
 
Sec. 5. Functions of Elderly Care Homes. - The nursing homes shall provide homeless elderly 
or abandoned elderly within its territorial jurisdiction institutionalized residential care programs 
and services such as but not limited to: 
 
a) Comfortable living quarters; 
b) Adequate food and clothing; 
c) Medical consultation or treatment; 
d) Health care; 
e) Occupational opportunities; 
f) Recreational and social interaction activities; 
g) Counselling; 
h) Case conference; 
i) Family dialogue; 
j) Outreach to existing family for reintegration; 
k) Literacy education; 
l) Productivity development; and 
m) Religious, cultural and vocational activities. 
 
Sec. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DSWD, in coordination with the 
Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Health and the Federation of 
Senior Citizens Associations of the Philippines, and Confederation of Older Persons 
Associations of the Philippines, shall hereby promulgate the rules and regulations to carry out the 
provisions this Act, including staffing guidelines and qualifications, not later than ninety (90) 
days after its effectivity. 
 


Sec. 7. Exemptions of the Elderly Care Home. - The established care home shall be exempted 
from the payment of customs duties, taxes, and tariffs on the importation of equipment and 
supplies used actually, directly, and exclusively by the elderly care home pursuant to this Act, 
including those donated to the elderly care home. 
 
Sec. 8. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act shall be 
included in the General Appropriations Act of the year following its enactment into law and 
every year thereafter. 
 
Sec. 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared invalid or unconstitutional, 
the provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect. 
 
Sec. 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, presidential 
proclamations, rules and regulations or parts thereof contrary to or inconsistent with this Act are 
hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
 
Sec. 11. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the 
Official Gazette or at least two (2) national papers of general circulation. 
 
Approved,