NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session 
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‘22 JUL 12 P6 :34
SENATE
S.B. No. 44«
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INTRODUCED BY SENATOR ROBINHOOD PADILLA
AN ACT
TO ESTABLISH A NURSING HOME FOR SENIOR CITIZENS 
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Philippines has been known as a family-centered nation. Embedded In the 
Filipino culture is the strong and close-knit family ties, which thereby put a high 
premium on the responsibility of families to look after and care for each other, 
especially the elderly.
In fact, no less than the 1987 Constitution provides that [t]he State recognizes 
the Filipino family as the foundation of the nation. Accordingly, it shall strengthen its 
solidarity and actively promote its total development (Section 1, Article XV). Further, 
the supreme law of the land stipulates that the family has the duty to care for its 
elderly members, but the State may also do so through just programs of social 
security.
While the tradition of caring for the elderly deeply lingers in Filipino families. It 
is a reality today that many underprivileged families encounter major challenges and 
gaps in ensuring the well-being of older people. Such challenges are mainly attributed 
to poor access to health care and low income and assets, which result in many of the 
elderly, specifically women, depending on their children for economic support.1 Worse, 
there are also cases wherein elderly people are neglected and/or abandoned by their 
supposed families.
Another factor that the government must look Into is the steady rise of the 
elderly population in the country, as reported by the Commission on Population and 
Development (CPD). In 2019, senior citizens in the Philippines account for 8.2 percent
1 Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA\ 2019. Provision of Care for Filipino Older Persons and 
Responding to the Needs of Aging Societies. Accessed on 05 July 2022 from 
https://www.un.org/development/desa/pd/sites/www.un.org.development.desa.pd/files/unpd_egm_ 
201902_s8_pleneegracejcastillo.pdf


of the population, and the CPD anticipates that this is expected to hit 14 percent 
between 2030 and 2035.2
With the anticipated rise in the elderly population, limited number of public 
geriatric services available, and the rising standard of living in the country, it is 
incumbent upon the State to lend a hand in ensuring that the welfare and special 
needs of the elderly people are addressed.
This bill therefore seeks to establish and institutionalize a Nursing Home for 
Senior Citizens in every city and municipality in the country to assist families in 
providing for the special needs and demands of the elderly.
It is for these reasons that the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.
BINHOOD PADILLA
2 Galvez, D. (2019). Philippines to have ‘aging population between 2030 and 2035 - CPD’. Philippine 
Daily Inquirer. Accessed on 05 July 2022 from https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1075493/philippines-to- 
have-aging- population-between-2030-and-2035-cpd


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session 
)
isi-natr
of the #r,:rrran>
•22 JUL12 P6 34
SENATE
S.B. No. 448
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR ROBINHOOD PADILLA
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AN ACT
TO ESTABLISH A NURSING HOME FOR SENIOR CITIZENS 
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Phiiippines in 
Congress assembied:
SECTION 1. Short Title,
Senior Citizens (NHSC) Act,
The Act shall be known as the ''Nursing Home for
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to 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.
While the family has the duty to care for its elderly members, the State may 
also do so through just programs of social security. It is hereby declared the policy of 
the State to provide nursing homes for senior citizens in every city and municipality In 
the country with quality and affordable care and nursing facilities for elderly Filipinos.
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act:
(a) Care refers to the fulfillment of the special needs and requirements of 
the senior citizens;
(b) Nursing Home for Senior Citizens or NHSC refers to the place and 
facilities designed to provide skilled care to the elderly, twenty-four (24) 
hours a day, seven (7) days a week; and
(c) Senior citizen refers to any resident citizen of the Philippines at least 
sixty (60) years old.


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SEC. 4. Establishment of NHSC. - The city or municipal local government 
unit (LGU) shall establish an NHSC in their respective jurisdictions for the services 
provided in Section 5 of this Act.
SEC, 5. Services of NHSC. - The NHSC shall provide senior citizens with the 
following services:
a. 
Comfortable living spaces;
b. 
Adequate food and clothing;
c. 
Personal and custodial care;
d. 
Medical consultation, treatment, and monitoring;
e. 
Health care;
f. 
Social and recreational activities;
g. 
Occupational opportunities;
h. 
Counseling;
i. 
Family dialogue;
j. 
Case conferences;
k. 
Literacy education;
l. 
Religious, cultural, and vocational activities; and
m. 
Such other similar services, as may be required by the LGU concerned.
SEC. 6. Administration of NHSC. - The Office of the City or Municipal Mayor 
shall have the control and management of the NHSC. The Office shall also appoint the 
person who will administer the NHSC.
SEC. 7. Supervision and Monitoring of NHSC. - The Department of Social 
Welfare and Development (DSWD) shall supervise and monitor the NHSC to ensure it 
is faithfully providing the services stated in Section 5 of this Act.
The City or Municipal Social Welfare Development Officer shall submit a 
quarterly report on the disbursements and expenditures related to the management 
of the NHSC under their respective jurisdictions to the DSWD.
SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DSWD, in 
coordination with the Department of Health, Depariment of Interior and Local 
Government, and other concerned agencies and entities, shall hereby promulgate the 
rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this Act not later than ninety (90) 
days after its effectivity.
SEC. 9, Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions 
of this Act shall be included in tlie Genera! Appropriations Act of the year following its 
enactment into law and every year thereafter.
SEC. 10. Separability Clause. - In the event any provision of this Act or the 
application of such provision is declared invalid, the remainder of this Act or the 
application of the said provision shall not be affected thereby.


SEC. 11. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive 
orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof that are inconsistent with the provisions 
of this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.
SEC. 12. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,