Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
19th CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 10365 
Introduced by HONORABLE MILAGROS AQUINO-MAGSAYSAY 
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF  
SENIOR CITIZENS NURSING HOMES IN ALL CITIES AND MUNICIPALITIES, 
AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This bill seeks to establish senior citizens nursing homes in all cities and 
municipalities for long-term and multi-disciplinary care and support services, and 
providing for resources to support and sustain said programs.  
While it is generally acknowledged that an ageing population is a positive outcome 
of combined social, economic and health advances, the resulting physiological, social and 
financial changes that older persons’ experience, they may require assistance from time 
to time to regain a sense of well-being. Alongside the rapid growth of the older population 
are the increasing cases of abandonment and homelessness, as well as rise in 
their 
special 
needs 
such 
as 
health 
care, 
housing, 
income 
security 
and 
other social services.  
While Filipino culture, and even the 1987 Constitution, dictates we care for our 
elderly, and it is the family which has the primary responsibility to do so, it is incumbent 
upon the State to provide additional resources and support. The national government has 
a handful of institutions maintained by the Department of Social Welfare and 
Development (DSWD) providing housing for abandoned, neglected, and homeless senior 
citizens. These residential facilities and group homes are simply insufficient and 
inadequate to address the needs of numerous ageing Filipinos whether or not separated 
from their families.  
Thus, a strategic and long-term approach to ensure the protection of the rights and 
welfare of older persons and provide them with adequate health, rehabilitative and socio-
economic services must be formulated. We must recognize the need for urgent 
action on the lack or scarcity of available infrastructure for elderly care, such as proper 
May 7, 2024
3:00 pm


facilities and safe and secure environments able to address long-term care needs of the 
senior citizens.  
In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly recommended. 
MILAGROS AQUINO-MAGSAYSAY 


Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
Nineteenth Congress 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 10365 
Introduced by Representative Milagros Aquino-Magsaysay   
______________________________________________________________________ 
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF  
SENIOR CITIZENS NURSING HOMES IN ALL CITIES AND MUNICIPALITIES, 
AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR 
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 “Senior Citizens Nursing 
Homes Act of 2024”.  
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy – It shall be the declared policy of the State to protect 
and promote the health and well-being of Filipino senior citizens, and ensure a decent 
and dignified standard of living and quality of life by providing a comprehensive and 
holistic healthcare and welfare system, with accessible programs and affordable services. 
SECTION 3. Scope and Coverage – This Act shall apply to all Filipino senior citizens 
who are in need of and wish to avail of the programs and services of nursing homes, 
particularly residential and housing, specialized medical interventions and support care, 
either because they have been abandoned, neglected, are homeless, or because their 
families are unable to meet or provide for their special needs. 
SECTION 4. Definition of Terms – The following terms used in this Act are defined as 
follows: 


a) SENIOR CITIZEN - refers to any resident citizen of the Philippines, who is at least
sixty (60) years old of age, as defined in Republic Act No. 9994;
b) DEPENDENT SENIOR CITIZEN – a senior citizen needing support and assistance
in daily living, in terms of self-care, health or medical needs, mobility and
movement;
c) SENIOR CITIZENS NURSING HOMES – refers to group homes or facilities that
provide skilled and specialized care for senior citizens, 24 hours a day, seven (7)
days a week; these will include RESIDENTIAL CARE SERVICES (RCS) provided
by current group homes as long term or temporary multi-disciplinary care to senior
citizens who are abandoned by their families or with no significant others to provide
the needed supervision and supportive care. The services that will be provided
Include social services, health & medical services, psychological services, skills
training, group work activities, dietary services, homellfe /group-living services,
spiritual services (I.e. religious services, masses, confession, bible studies) and
provision of assistive devices;
SECTION 5. Government-Run Residential Care Facilities and Group Homes - 
Pursuant to Executive Order No. 105, Series of 2004 the DSWD shall continue to operate 
and maintain Group Homes/Foster Home for Neglected, Abandoned, Abused, 
Unattached and Poor Older Persons and Persons with Disabilities. This includes 
Residential Care Services (RCS) at 24-hour facilities that provide long term or temporary 
multi-disciplinary care to senior citizens who are abandoned by their families or with no 
significant others to provide the needed supervision and supportive care. The services 
that will be provided Includes social services, health & medical services, psychological 
services, skills training, group work activities, dietary services, home-llfe/group living 
services, spiritual services (i.e., religious services, masses, confession, bible studies and 
etc.) and provision of assistive devices. 
SECTION 6. Privately-Run Residential Care Facilities and Group Homes - Non-
Government Organizations (NGOs), religious or charitable institutions, or for-profit 
business enterprises may also establish and operate residential facilities and group 
homes to provide temporary shelter or long-term residential care for seniors suffering from 
dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, or some life-threatening or terminal illness, needing 
assisted daily-living (ADLs), or palliative or hospice care.  
SECTION 7. Mandatory Compliance with Standards - The above-mentioned 
institutions and nursing homes established under this Act shall abide by the DSWD-
mandated regulatory and accreditation standards, comply with Accessibility Law or Batas 
Pambansa (BP) No. 344 requirements, and anti-elder abuse policies. In addition, 
residents living in these facilities shall continue to be entitled to their individual benefits 
granted under RA 9994 and RA 10645 on mandatory PhilHealth coverage.  


 
SECTION 8. Responsibility of Local Government Units (LGUs) – Local Government 
Units (LGUs), particularly cities and municipalities, shall take charge of ensuring the 
establishment, management and sustained operation of Senior Citizens Nursing Homes 
in their respective areas. 
 
To ensure regular provision of necessary medical services for clients of senior citizens 
nursing homes, the LGU shall utilize the city or municipal health centers to provide 
maintenance drugs and medicines, conduct health monitoring and medical check-ups, 
dementia early screening/testing, and such other health services that may be required, 
through their respective city/ municipal health office. 
 
SECTION 9. Funding and Sustainability – Pursuant to the Supreme Court’s Mandanas 
ruling on the just and equitable share of local government units to some national tax 
revenues, LGUs must ensure the appropriate funding and resources to sustain their 
respective Senior Citizens Nursing Homes. 
 
In addition, LGUs may utilize a portion of their mandated budgetary allocation for senior 
citizens to support their Senior Citizens Nursing Homes and provide for the needs of the 
above-mentioned vulnerable sectors. LGUs are likewise enjoined to integrate and 
consider this program in their local development plans. 
 
SECTION 10. Donations to the Nursing Homes - The SC Nursing Homes are hereby 
authorized to solicit and receive donations, grants, contributions, gifts or endowments 
from all sources whether foreign or domestic, and whether government or private, without 
the need of securing a permit, approval or registration from any government agency. 
Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, all donations, contributions, 
endowments and equipment and supplies to be imported by authorized entities or 
persons for the actual use and benefit of the SC Nursing Homes, shall be exempt from 
donor’s and gift taxes, the same further deductible in full for the purpose of determining 
the maximum deductible amount under Section 30, paragraph (h), of the National Internal 
Revenue Code, as amended. 
SECTION 11. Tax Exemption – Senior Citizens Nursing Homes established under this 
Act are hereby declared exempt from all income and all other internal revenue taxes, tariff 
and customs duties and all other kinds of taxes, fees, charges and assessments levied 
by the Government and its political subdivisions, agencies and instrumentalities. 
SECTION 12. Utility Discount – As provided for under Republic Act No. 9994, accredited 
and licensed senior citizens facilities exclusively used by the elderly, may be entitled to 
utility discounts on electricity, water and telecommunications services. 


SECTION 13. Implementing Rules and Regulations - Within ninety (90) days or three 
(3) months from the approval of this Act, the National Commission on Senior Citizens 
(NCSC), in coordination with other relevant implementing agencies like the Department 
of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Interior and Local 
Government (DILG), and the Department of Health (DOH), and concerned stakeholders, 
shall formulate and promulgate the rules and regulations necessary for the effective 
implementation of this Act.  
SECTION 14. 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 15. 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 16. Effectivity – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication in 
the Official Gazette or in newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved