CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE OF REERESENTATIVES
House Bill No. 4

Introduced by Representatives JUAN MIGUEL MACAPAGAL ARROYO
and MA. LOURDES T. ARROYO

AN ACT ESTABLISHING AND INSTITUTIONALIZING LONG-TERM
CARE FOR SENIOR CITIZENS, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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 advanced 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 be 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 if this Bill, its passage is most
earnestly sought.

‘p LOURDES T. ARROYO
2nd District, Pampanga 5th District, Negros Occidental


CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES
ey EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
House Bill No. 4824

ee

Introduced by Representatives JUAN MIGUEL MACAPAGAL ARROYO
and MA. LOURDES T. ARROYO

tent

AN ACT 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 2019”

SECTION 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 and initiate Programs as well as to support endeavors
aimed at promoting and advancing the social and economic well being of senior
citizens.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. For purposes of this Act, the following

terms shall be construed to mean as follows:

a. 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 citizens refers to those persons who are either frail,
sickly, suffering from any disability, and has no other means to support
his/her basic needs.

SECTION 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/or services, among others:

a. Social Protection shall cover programs which 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. i ;

a.1. Social Welfare. Curative and preventive interventions
that seek to support the special needs of Senior Citizens and to


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, prevention 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 detect 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 citizen's productivity.

a3. 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.

a4. Social Safety Nets. 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 ageing
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 PHILHEALTH 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 implement the
provisions of this Act from introducing other social services and
programs designed to promote the National Long-Term Care Program
for senior citizens.

SECTION 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 various local government units and the Department of Social Welfare and
Development (DSWD). 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.

SECTION 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.

SECTION 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within ninety (90)
days from the effectivity of this Act, the Department of Social Welfare and
Development, after due consultations with the other implementing agencies, shall
promulgate the necessary rules and regulations necessary for the orderly
implementation of this Act.

SECTION 8. Separability Clause. If any part of this Act is declared
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not affected thereby shall
continue to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, rules and regulations
or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, modified or
amended accordingly.

SECTION 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,