Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE PM VARGAS 
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 
The State provides that the family has the duty to care for its elderly 
members, but the State may also do so through just programs of social security 
(Article XV Section 4 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution). 
It is estimated that 90% of the 7 million senior citizens in the Philippines 
are not given sufficient care. This number doubled in 2020 from 8 to 16%.1 Many 
Filipino elderly do not have the financial means necessary to sustain an adequate 
quality of life, mainly because they are not able to save for retirement while caring 
for their young dependents.2    
Although the State has institutionalized prioritization of the elderlies, in 
the form of programs such as social pension, and home care services under the 
Department of Social Welfare and Development, these efforts do not adequately 
address the cases of homeless and abandoned senior citizens. 
 Currently, most shelter facilities are founded by private organizations or 
religious sectors and are usually situated in only a few and limited key cities and 
municipalities.  
1 Business Mirror. 2022. https://businessmirror.com.ph/2022/07/26/nursing-homes-in-the-
philippines/ Accessed online on August 16, 2022 
2 Philippine Statistics Authority.2018 
July 24, 2025
3:16 pm
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This bill seeks to pursue elderly care by providing nursing homes for 
homeless elderly Filipino who have been either neglected or abandoned by their 
families.  Further it seeks the ensure that access to decent, warm, and quality 
homes for the geriatrics is made available across the country by the creation of 
the facilities in every municipality and city of the country. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly 
sought. 
REP PM. VARGAS 
Fifth District, Quezon City 


Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVEs PM VARGAS 
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 the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled 
SECTION 1. Short title. -This Act shall be known as the "Homes for Abandoned 
Seniors Act."  
SECTION 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.  
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms shall 
mean:  
a. Abandoned Senior Citizen 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 senior citizen, and/or from
whom all basic care have been withdrawn, whether willfully or not;
b. Homeless Senior Citizen refers to a senior who lacks a fixed, regular
residence, or whose current residence is unfit for human habitation, or
lacks resources to obtain proper housing;
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c. Nursing Home 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;  
d. Senior Citizen refers to any resident citizen of the Philippines at least 
sixty (60) years of age. 
SECTION 4. Establishment of Nursing Homes. - There shall be established in 
every municipality and city, a nursing home to serve abandoned senior citizens 
and homeless senior citizens, to be built by the local government units (LCDs) 
concerned and shall be operated and maintained by the Department of Social 
Welfare and Development (DSWD) in coordination with the LGUs concerned.  
SECTION 5. Functions of Nursing Homes. - The nursing homes shall provide 
homeless senior citizens or abandoned senior citizens 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. Counseling;  
h. Case conference; 
i. Family dialogue;  
j. Outreach to existing family for reintegration;  
k. Literacy education;  
I. Productivity development 
m. Religious, cultural and vocational activities.  
SECTION 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 not 
later than ninety (90) days after its effectivity.  
SECTION 7. Exemptions of the Nursing Home. - The established nursing 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 nursing home pursuant to this Act, including those donated to the 
Nursing Home.  
SECTION 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.  
SECTION 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. 
SECTION 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.  
SECTION 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,