SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 1999 
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1)£& -4 P3 :19 
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Introduced by SENATOR CYNTHIA A. VILLAR 
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 fulfill its promise of 
securing for our people a prosperous life. 
In view of the paramount Significance of this Bill, its passage is most 
earnestly sought. 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 1999 
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'--, --- ---
Introduced by SENATOR CYNTHIA A. VILLAR 
AN ACT 
·13 
DEC -4 P3 :19 
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". 
SEC. 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, initiate, and support programs, including endeavors, 
aimed at promoting and advancing the social and economic well being of senior 
citizens. 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. For purposes of this Act, the following terms 
shall be construed to mean as follows: 
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 frail, sickly, suffering from any disability, or have no other 
means to support their individual basic needs. 
SEC. 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 services, among others: 
a. 
Social Protection. This shall cover programs that 
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, 
provention 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 Safely Nels. 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 aging 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. 
c.2. Development and provIsion of geriatric 
training at the family and community level. 
c.3. Mandatory PHILHEAL TH 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 impleme[1t the provisions 
of this Act from introducing other social services and programs designed to 
promote the National Long-Term Care Program for senior citizens. 
SEC. 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 
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the various local 
government units. 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. 
SEC. 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. 
SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within ninety (90) days from 
the effectivity of this Act, the Department of Social Welfare <Jnd Development, 
after due consultations with the other implementing agencies, shall promUlgate 
rules and regulations necessary for the orderly implementation of this Act. 
SEC. 8. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall 
continue to be in full force and effect. 
SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, rules and regulations or parts 
thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, modified, or amended 
accordingly. 
SEC. 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,