Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 5371

Introduced by HON. JOSEPH “JOJO” L. LARA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to create an elderly care and nursing facility for our beloved senior
citizens in the Province of Cagayan.

Families who cannot take care of, provide for, take charge of their elderly relatives will
now have an option on where they can place their relatives where they will be well
cared for.

Filipino families have always been known as close-knit. We are known to take care of
our aging relatives and provide for them until their death. But nowadays, many
families especially those in the poverty line, have a difficult time in making ends meet
for their family, much less, take care of an ailing elderly relative.

Sometimes, you will find these elderly on the streets, where their family left them to
fend for themselves or who simply leave their own homes so they would not be a
burden to their families anymore.

This center will give these elderly people a sense of dignity and belongingness and
give them the care that they deserve in the twilight of their lives.

It is for this reason that the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

10955000" L. LARA


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

5371
HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Introduced by HON. JOSEPH “JOJO” L. LARA

AN ACT
TO ESTABLISH AN ELDERLY CARE AND NURSING COMPLEX IN THE
PROVINCE OF CAGAYAN

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Cagayan Elderly
Care and Nursing Home Act".

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared the policy of the
State to provide elderly care and nursing home in every local government unit by
providing quality and affordable care and nursing facilities to elderly Filipinos.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. — For purposes of this Act, the following
terms will be defined as follows:

a) Elderly - is a person who is sixty five (65) years old and above.

b) Elderly Care - is the fulfilment of the special needs and requirements of the
elderly.

c) Nursing Complex - refers to the place and the facilities that are designated to
provide skilled care to elderly twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

SECTION 4. Coverage. - This Act shall apply to all elderly persons who wish
to avail of the elderly care and nursing complex in the Province of Cagayan and/or
whose family members cannot provide or meet the special needs and requirements of
the elderly.

SECTION 5. Location of Complex. — The Department of Social Welfare and
Development shall determine the area in the province on where to establish the
proposed elderly care and nursing complex.

SECTION 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Government
agencies and instrumentalities shall provide the necessary assistance and support to


fulfill the needs of the elderly care and nursing complex, such as but not limited to
construction of the complex, provision of equipment and qualified manpower.

The Department of Health and the Department of Social Welfare and
Development will formulate the rules and regulations, procedures and guidelines to
be followed in admitting elderly persons in the facility. They will prescribe the
necessary criteria for the determination if the elderly is qualified for admittance. They
will also appoint the person or entity who will administer and supervise the elderly
care and nursing complex.

SECTION 7. Role of Family Members. — Family members shall be provided
with adequate information on the system as well as for sharing experiences to enable
them to care for their elderly. They will also be informed on what their responsibilities
when their elderly is admitted to the facility.

SECTION 8. Personnel Recruitment and Incentives. — A\l personnel
involved in the Complex shall have adequate and appropriate education and training
to be determined by the Department of Health, in consultation with the Department
of Social Welfare and Development.

SECTION 9. Appropriations. — To carry out the provisions of this Act, there
is hereby appropriated the sum of One Hundred Million Pesos (P100,000,000.00) from
the General Appropriations Act for the current year for the initial construction and
purchase of equipment. Thereafter, the appropriation for such as may be necessary
for the purpose shall be provided for in the General Appropriations Act. The
Department of Social Welfare and Development Regional Office will act as fund
custodian for this purpose.

SECTION 10. Repealing Clause. — A\| provisions of laws, orders, decrees,
including rules and regulations inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed and/or
modified accordingly.

SECTION 11. Separability Clause. — If any part or provision of this Act shall
be held to be unconstitutional or invalid, other provisions hereof which are not effected
thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 12. Fffectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days

following its complete publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved,