Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 1389

Introduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING AND INSTITUTIONALIZING LONG-TERM CARE
FOR SENIOR CITIZENS, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

We Filipinos are known for the unrequited care we give our elderly. In fact,
this customary practice is one attribute that sets us apart from other cultures.
Sadly, this generosity is oftentimes extended only to members of our own
families. Thus, those who have been abandoned and neglected by their loved
ones find themselves unattended and helpless in their advance age.

The State, as parens patriae, should take an active role in alleviating the
plight of our senior citizens, especially the unwanted and deserted. Not only is
this consistent with our deeply rooted values, but more so, is a visible testament
to our government's commitment to alleviate the living conditions of all our
citizens, both young and old alike. Nevertheless, we can only be truly effective in
this effort if we can give our senior citizens long term care and services.

This is precisely what this Bill seeks to achieve. Hence, by formulating a
national long term care program for senior citizens, it is hoped that the
government and its vital agencies can become more efficient in combating the
problems confronting our senior citizens and ultimately, help fulfil its promise of
securing for our people a prosperous life


In view of the paramount significance of this Bill, its passage is most
eamestly sought.

DIOSDADO'MACAPAGAL ARROYO GLORIAMACAPAGAL ARROYO
Second District, Camarines Sur Second District, Pampanga


Republic of the Philippines.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1388

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING AND INSTITUTIONALIZING LONG-TERM CARE
FOR SENIOR CITIZENS, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Title. - This Act shall be known as “The Long-Term Care for
Senior Citizens Act of 2013."

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policies. - The State recognizes the invaluable
contribution of senior citizens to the national development program. Accordingly,
it is hereby declared the policy of the State to provide adequate and effective
social services to all members of society especially senior citizens so they may
live prosperously and enjoy the fruits of their labor. For this purpose, the State
undertakes to establish and initiate programs as well as to support endeavors
aimed at promoting and advancing the social and economic well being of senior
citizens.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following
terms shall be construed to mean as follows:

a. A ’“senior citizen” refers to any person as defined in
Section 3 of Republic Act No. 7876, otherwise known as the Senior
Citizen Center Act.


b. Long-term care refers to a sustained provision of
comprehensive programs and services to Senior Citizens with the
view of enabling them to have dignified, healthy and secured lives.

c. Dependent senior citizen refers to those persons who
are either frail, sickly, suffering from any disability, and has no other
means to support his/her basic needs

SECTION 4. National Long-term Care Program Framework. - A national
long-term care program for senior citizens is hereby established which shall
embody the following core programs and/or services, among others:

a. Social Protection shall cover programs which seek
to reduce poverty and vulnerability to risks and enhance the social
status and rights of senior citizens by promoting and protecting
them against hazards and sudden loss of income and improving
senior citizens’ capacity to manage risk

a.1, Social Welfare. Curative and preventive
interventions that seek to support the special needs of
Senior Citizens and to reduce risks associated with
old age shall be provided. These shall include
activities aimed at protecting senior citizens from
abuse, exploitation and discrimination. Moreover,
prevention and provision of support services against
physical, emotional and financial abuse, sexual
exploitation, neglect and abandonment of senior
citizens shall be established within the family and at
the community level. Towards this end, trainings and
awareness campaigns shall be initiated to raise the
public’s awareness of the problems confronting senior
citizens and to equip the public with the necessary
know-how to prevent and detection problem areas
concerning senior citizens.

a.2. Livelihood/Job Generation Program
Senior citizens shall be specifically targeted in
livelihood programs and other poverty alleviation
programs. Further, livelihood programs _ shall
guarantee a minimum income and shall be designed
in a manner that increases senior citizens’
productivity.

a.3. Social Insurance. Existing social insurance
programs shall be modified and expanded to
guarantee that senior citizens shall be adequately


protected from loss of income and unemployment as
a result of old age. Economic and financial support
through other innovative social insurance and pension
schemes especially designed for families caring for
dependents/disabled senior citizens shall likewise be
endeavored.

a.4. Social Safety Nets. Stop-gap mechanisms
or urgent and immediate responses shall be instituted
to shield senior citizens from vulnerabilities arising
from disasters, emergency and displacement due to
development projects, natural and man-made
calamities.

b. Senior Citizens and Development. This shall
include mainstreaming activities such as lifelong education
programs for ageing preparation and non-formal education at the
local level for those sixty (60) years old and above and
development of programs which will allow senior citizens to remain
actively engaged in as many social, economic and community
activities as possible

c. Advancing Health and Well-being. An integrated
and innovative elderly focused health and social services shall be
made available at the local level. Particular emphasis shall be
made on disease prevention, health promotion and wellness of
mind, body and spirit. Health services shall comprise preventive,
curative and rehabilitative health care services in all government
and private hospitals, local health facilities and other community
based facilities. The said program shall contemplate the following,
among others:

c.1. Homecare and hospice for the frail and
dependent elderly and medical and psychological
support for patients requiring continued medical
assistance after discharge.

¢.2. Development and provision of geriatric
training at the family and community level

.3. Mandatory PHILHEALTH coverage for
non-contributory senior citizens especially the poor

d Enabling and Supportive Environment. Provision of
home nursing for the elderly, facilities for respite care, programs on
counseling, professional guidance and emotional support and low-


cost, community-based activities integrated into existing community
health programs as well as strengthening of inter-generational
relationships

Nothing above prevents the agencies tasked to implement the provisions
of this Act from introducing other social services and programs designed to
promote the National Long-Term Care Program for senior citizens.

SECTION 5. Implementing Agencies. - The National Long-Term Care Program
for Senior Citizens shall be implemented jointly by the Department of Finance,
Department of Health, Department of Interior and Local Government, the various
local government units and the Department of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD). The National Inter-Agency Monitoring Board created under Republic
Act No. 9257 otherwise known as the Expanded Senior Citizens act shall take
the lead in monitoring the implementation of this Act.

SECTION 6. Appropriation. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions
of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act of the year
following its enactment into law and thereafter the local government units shall
undertake the maintenance of the institutions established under this Act

SECTION 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety ((90) days
from the effectivity of this Act, the Department of Social Welfare and
Development, after due consultations with the other implementing agencies, shall
promulgate the necessary rules and regulations necessary for the orderly
implementation of this Act.

SECTION 8. Separability Clause. - If any part of this Act is declared
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall
continue to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, rules and regulations or
parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, modified or amended
accordingly.

SECTION 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of
general circulation.

Approved,