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Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 2020 
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE MILAGROS AQUINO - MAGSAYSAY 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill seeks to address a seeming gap in the governmental regulation, accreditation and 
monitoring of some establishments catering to elderly or senior citizen clients. Presently, the authority 
of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to regulate and accredit only extends 
to social welfare agencies (SWAs) and/or auxiliary social welfare and development agencies (SWDAs) 
which are either public or government-run facilities, or Non-Stock, Non-Profit institutions operated by 
religious denominations or Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). Privately-run, for-profit 
residential care and group homes catering to the elderly are not specifically included. Meanwhile, the 
Department of Health (DOH) licensing and accreditation authority only covers those facilities which 
have permanent and regular medical or health services. Hence, most private, for-profit residential care 
and group homes for senior citizens are not being regulated by either DSWD or DOH, except for the 
mandatory business permits from the local government units.  
It must be emphasized that the clientele these facilities and group homes are catering to are 
considered a vulnerable sector in need of special care and protection. The Philippine Constitution and 
other relevant senior citizens laws recognize their specific need for proper healthcare and an adequate 
standard of living, if not, a dignified quality of life. It must be ensured that they are not subject to 
neglect or abuse inside these facilities, and that these establishments comply with the Accessibility 
Law requirements for seniors with disabilities, especially since they are paying clientele. Thus, there 
is a need to put these institutions under the regulatory powers of a proper government agency tasked 
with looking after the welfare of this sector, our senior citizens or elderly. 
This bill seeks to include privately-run for-profit residential care facilities and/or group homes 
for the elderly or senior citizens under the DSWD’s regulatory powers, and institutionalize its 
regulatory, accreditation, and licensing powers over all institutions catering to senior citizens and 
PWDs.  
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly recommended. 
HON. MILAGROS AQUINO-MAGSAYSAY 
July 16, 2025
3:05 pm


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Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 2020 
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE MILAGROS AQUINO - MAGSAYSAY  
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE REGULATION AND ACCREDITATION 
OF PRIVATE, FOR-PROFIT RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITIES  
OR GROUP HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress Assembled 
SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the “Regulation of Private, For-Profit Residential Care 
Facilities and Group Homes for the Elderly and Senior Citizens Act”. 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy –The 1987 Constitution, Article II, Section IX, mandates: “The 
State shall promote a just and dynamic social order that will ensure the prosperity and independence 
of the nation and free the people from poverty through policies that provide adequate social services, 
promote full employment, a rising standard of living, and an improved quality of life for all.” In 
addition, Article II, Section X declares: “The State shall promote social justice in all phases of national 
development.” Moreover, Article XIII, Section XI commits: “The State shall adopt an integrated and 
comprehensive approach to health development which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health 
and other social services available to all the people at affordable cost. There shall be priority for the 
needs of the underprivileged sick, elderly, disabled, women and children. More importantly, Article 
Section IV provides: “The family has the duty to care for its elderly members, but the State may also 
do so through just programs of social security.”  
SECTION 3. Scope and Coverage – For purposes of this Act, those establishments sought to be 
covered are “privately-run, for-profit” residential care facilities and group homes catering to elderly or 
senior citizen clientele are those “operating as a business” under proper LGU-issued licenses and 
permits, but without prior DSWD-accreditation nor DOH-regulation. These include establishments 
accepting senior citizens as clients/patients needing housing and specialized care for a certain billable 
fee, and said collections are not only for actual cost of operations and maintenance, but also for profit. 
SECTION 4. DSWD Regulation – Private, for-profit residential care facilities catering to senior 
citizens shall be subject to the same regulatory functions of the DSWD over the public and private 
agencies and organizations engaged in social welfare and development activities to ensure the 
provision of the highest quality of service possible to the target clientele. In the same manner, 
private, for-profit establishments catering to seniors shall comply with the comprehensive system 


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of registration, licensing, and accreditation of social welfare and development programs and 
services for vulnerable sectors like the elderly. Thus, these facilities shall likewise be liable under 
the mechanism for sanctions in case of non-compliance with standards and procedures set by the 
DSWD. Nonetheless, they shall also be entitled to the same grant of benefits and incentives to 
registered, licensed and accredited SWDAs in recognition of their importance and invaluable 
contribution in social welfare and development. 
 
SECTION 5. Compliance and Monitoring – The DSWD, in coordination with all LGUs through the 
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) under 
the Department of Finance (DOF), and where applicable, with the DOH and Department of Trade and 
Industry (DTI), shall ensure that these residential care facilities and establishments obtain the required 
licenses and permits under their respective government mandates. 
 
SECTION 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations – Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity 
of the Act, the respective Secretaries and Chairpersons of the DSWD, the DILG, the DOH, the DOF 
thru the representation of the BIR, and the National Commission for Senior Citizens, shall jointly craft 
and issue the rules and regulations necessary for the effective implementation of this Act.  
 
SECTION 7. Separability Clause – If any portion or provision of this Act is declared invalid or 
unconstitutional, other provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.  
 
SECTION 8. Repealing Clause – All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules or regulations contrary to 
or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
 
SECTION 9. Effectivity – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication in the Official 
Gazette or in newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved