TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
SENATE
S.B. No. 120A
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25 AUG 18 P4 32
RECEIVED BY:
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR FREE MAINTENANCE MEDICATION, VITAMINS, AND 
SUPPLEMENTS FOR SENIOR CITIZENS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Philippine Constitution, under Article XIII, Section 11, mandates the State 
to adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development, giving 
priority to the needs of the underprivileged, elderly, women, and children.
In line with this constitutional directive, the proposed measure seeks to address 
one of the most pressing concerns of our growing senior citizen population — access 
to consistent and affordable healthcare, specifically maintenance medications, 
vitamins, and supplements.
As senior citizens age, many develop chronic health conditions such as 
hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, and cardiovascular diseases that require lifelong 
medication. Unfortunately, the cost of maintenance drugs and health supplements 
remains a significant burden for many elderly Filipinos, especially those with limited 
or no income.
While the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 (Republic Act No. 9994) 
provides for various health and social benefits, access to regular maintenance 
medications and essential vitamins remains inconsistent and, in many cases, 
inaccessible.
This bill, titled the "Lingap Gamot at Resistensya Pack Para sa Nakatatandang 
Pinoy Act," seeks to institutionalize a program that will provide free maintenance 
medications, vitamins, and supplements to all eligible senior citizens. The measure 
also ensures that the oldest-old, frail, and bedridden senior citizens receive these 
health essentials through door-to-door delivery facilitated by designated barangay 
health workers.
Furthermore, the bill proposes the expansion of PhilFlealth's GAMOT package 
to cover medications and supplements not readily available in local health centers and
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pharmacies, ensuring no senior citizen is left behind due to stock limitations or supply 
issues.
Through effective inter-agency coordination among the Department of Health 
(DOH), National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC), Department of Social Welfare 
and Development (DSWD), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), 
and senior citizens associations, the bill aims to create an accessible and sustainable 
healthcare delivery mechanism for older Filipinos,
By institutionalizing this program, we not only uphold the constitutional 
mandate to care for our senior citizens but also affirm our collective commitment to 
honoring their lifelong contributions to our nation.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
RISA HOimVEROS // 
Senator


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE 
S.B. No.
Senate
©ffifp 0(41)4' S’>rnxt.irj7
25 AUG 18 P4 32
RECEIVED BY:
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR FREE MAINTENANCE MEDICATION, VITAMINS, AND 
SUPPLEMENTS FOR SENIOR CITIZENS
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives in the Philippines 
assembled:
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Section 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the "Lingap Gamot 
at Resistensya Pack Para sa Nakatatandang Pinoy Act."
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. — 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, giving priority to the needs of the underprivileged, sick, elderly, 
persons with disabilities, women, and children.
It is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote and protect the 
health and well-being of senior citizens by providing free medical care and support 
to ensure their continued and meaningful participation and contribution in society.
Sec. 3. Free Maintenance Medications, Vitamins, and Supplements. 
— The government shall provide free maintenance medications, vitamins, and 
supplements to all senior citizens, as defined under Republic Act No. 9994, 
otherwise known as the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010.
Sec. 4. Eligibility and Registration. — To qualify for the free monthly 
maintenance medications, vitamins, and supplements, a senior citizen must: 
a) be a registered senior citizen with the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs
(OSCA);


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b) be enlisted in the target client list of the barangay health center where they
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reside;
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c) be assigned to a primary healthcare provider; and
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d) have a valid prescription issued within the last three (3) months.
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Sec. 5. 
Access to Maintenance Medications^ Vitamins, and
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Supplements. — The free maintenance medications, vitamins, and supplements
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shall be accessed through barangay health centers, Botika ng Bayan, and/or
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deputized and accredited pharmacies. Provided, that access to and delivery of
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these items for the oldest-old, frail, and bedridden senior citizens shall be done
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directly by designated barangay health worker.
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Sec. 6. PhilHealth GAMOT for Senior Citizens. — Maintenance
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medications, vitamins, and supplements needed by senior citizens but not readily
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available shall be covered under, and in addition to, PhilHealth's current
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Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment (GAMOT)
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package.
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Sec. 7. Implementation and Coordination. — The Department of
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Health (DOH) shall be responsible for the implementation of this Act. It shall
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coordinate with relevant agencies, including but not limited to the National
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Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC), Department of Social Welfare and
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Development (DSWD), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG),
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and recognize senior citizens association, to ensure the efficient allocation and
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distribution of the free maintenance medications, vitamins, and supplements.
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Sec. 8. Monitoring and Reporting. — The DOH shall establish a
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monitoring system to track the allocation, distribution, and utilization of the free
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maintenance medications, vitamins, and supplements. An annual report shall be
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submitted to Congress detailing the program's effectiveness and its impact on the
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health and well-being of senior citizens.
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Sec. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The DOH, in
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coordination with concerned agencies including PhilHealth, NCSC, DSWD, DILG,
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and recognize senior citizens associations shall promulgate the necessary rules
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and regulations to implement this Act effectively within ninety (90) days from its
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effectivity.


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Sec. 10. Separability Clause. — If any part, section, or provision of this
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Act is held invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions not affected shall
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remain in full force and effect.
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Sec. 11. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and
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regulations, or parts thereof, inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or
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amended accordingly.
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Sec. 12. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved.