Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS

HOUSE BILL NO. 2297

Introduced by:
Rep. Godofredo V. Arquiza

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Visual impairment among senior citizens can also be called as "partially
sighted," "low vision," "legally blind," and "totally blind" as used by schools,
colleges, and other educational institutions to describe individuals with visual
impairments. Partially sighted senior citizens indicate some type of visual
problem, with a need of person to receive special education in some cases; Low
vision senior citizens generally refers to a severe visual impairment, not
necessarily limited to distance vision. Low vision applics to all senior citizens
with sight who are unable to read the newspaper at a normal viewing distance,
even with the aid of eyeglasses or contact lenses. They use a combination of
vision and other senses, although they may require adaptations in lighting or the
size of print. Legally blind indicates that a senior citizen has less than 20/200
vision in the better eye after best correction (contact lenses or glasses), or a field
of vision of less than 20 degrees in the better eye.

The occurrence of vision impairment among senior citizens is the
consequence of a functional loss of vision, rather than the eye disorder itself.
Eye disorders which can lead to visual impairments can include retinal
degeneration, albinism, cataracts, glaucoma, muscular problems that result in
visual disturbances, corneal disorders, diabetic retinopathy, congenital
disorders, and infection." Visual impairment can also be caused by brain and
nerve disorders.


This bill seeks to provide "a standardized, objective approach to
evaluating medical impairments for senior citizens." A Visual Impairment
Services for Senior Citizens will provide criteria for evaluating permanent
impairment of the visual system as it affects the senior citizen’s ability to
perform activities of daily living. It will further establish programs and services
such as consultation, assessment, evaluation and the provision of necessary
assistance for our senior citizens or elderly with visual or vision impairments.

GODOFREDO V. ARQUIZA


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS,

HOUSE BILL NO. 2297

Introduced by:
Rep. Godofredo V. Arquiza

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING VISUAL IMPAIRMENT SERVICES FOR SENIOR
CITIZENS WITH VISION IMPAIRMENTS
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 ‘Visual Impairment
Services For Senior Citizens Act of 2010.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby a declared policy of the state
under Section 15, Article II of the Consitution to “protect and promote the right
to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them.” Section
11, Article VIII further provides that “the state shall adopt integrated and
comprehensive approach to health development which shall endeavor to make
essential goods, health and other social services to all people at affordable cost.
There shall be priority for the needs of the under-privileged, sick, elderly,
disabled, women, and children...”. In view of the foregoing, this act will
provide health care for our senior citizens with visual or vision impairments.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. — For the purpose of this Act, these terms
are defined as follows:

(a) “Visual impairment” or “vision impairment” shall mean a vision loss to
such a degree as to qualify as an additional support need through a
significant limitation of visual capability resulting from either disease,


trauma, or congenital or degenerative conditions that cannot be corrected
by conventional means, such as refractive correction, medication, or

surgery.

()“ Senior citizen” or “elderly” shall mean any resident of the Philippines at
least sixty (60) years old or older as defined in Republic Act 9994 Section
2(a), otherwise known as the “Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010.”

SECTION 4. Visually Impairment Services for Senior Citizens.- The
Secretary of Health shall ensure the establishment of the following visually
impairment services for the senior citizens:

(a) Rehabilitation and Equipment Service. - The Rehabilitation and

Equipment service shall provide assessments, and individual packages of

rehabilitation and support, personal care, access, communication and

other difficulties of senior citizens caused by their visual impairment.
Senior citizens can access this service through:

(1)a consultant ophthalmologist,
(2)a Social Work Team,
(3)a high street optician, GP or other health professional

(b) Advice, Information and Signposting Service. - The Advice,
Information and Signposting Service is aimed at senior citizens with
visual impairments, and carers who support senior citizens with a visual
impairment, when they are attending the Ophthalmic Outpatients
Department/Ophthalmic Wards at Government Hospitals .

(c) Guide Communicator Service and Intervener Service. - These are
services for senior citizens with Dual Sensory Impairment and provide
one to one support, assisting the elderly to access community facilities,
such as going shopping, social and recreational activities, or in dealing
with correspondence or financial matters. It can also assist people to work
with other statutory services, or to arrange interpretation support for
medical appointments, benefit or housing appointments etc.

(d) Statutory Register for Senior Citizens with Visual Impairments. —
Hospitals shall also maintain the Statutory Register for people with
Visual Impairments (including Dual Sensory Impairments). This receives
referrals from consultant ophthalmologists and supports people to access
a range of support services.

SECTION 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The Department of
Health is hereby directed to issue the necessary rules and regulations to
implement the provisions of this Act.


SECTION 6. Separability Clause. If any provision or part hereof is held
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the Act or the provision not
otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting.

SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. Any law, presidential decree or issuance,
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative rule or regulation contrary
to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or
amended accordingly.

SECTION 8. Effectivity Clause. This Act shall take effect immediately after
its approval.

Approved,

GODQFREDO V. ARQUIZA