Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

House Bill No. 884

Introduced by Senior Citizens Partylist Representative
HON. GODOFREDO V. ARQUIZA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Statistical data for 2010 indicate that approximately 6.2 million or 6.8% of
the Philippine population are senior citizens, which is projected to grow to 8.5%
by 2020. Like in many developing countries, many Filipino senior citizens or
elderly remain highly susceptible to poverty. On the other hand, a fast aging
population is a serious developmental as well as demographical problem.

Adults tend to become inactive and frail and more exposed to various
illnesses in their advanced years. It is a more pronounced concern in the case of
abandoned or neglected senior citizens who are left alone with no viable means
to sustain themselves.

The situation entails pressures on our health facilities and service delivery
systems to serve and protect the welfare of such a highly vulnerable sector of our
society.

Fortunately, advancements in medicine and healthcare delivery systems
are enabling people to live longer and pass the age of 60. Pioneering works in
the emerging field of “smart aging’ are also making the advance years of older
people more productive, convenient and liveable.

This bill seeks to establish the Philippine Institute for Aging as the
country’s research institution that will study and focus on the concerns of aging
and the elderly and address the same towards enhancing their contribution to
national development. It is also envisioned to lead the crusade in retooling our
people's attitude with respect to the plight of the elderly and the better prospects
of a prolonged life.

For the foregoing reasons, the immediate passage of this bill is eamestly
urged

HON. GODPFREDO V. ARQUIZA


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS,
Third Regular Session

House Bill No._6884

Introduced by Senior Citizens Partylist Representative
HON. GODOFREDO V. ARQUIZA

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE INSTITUTE FOR AGING,
DEFINING ITS OBJECTIVES, POWERS AND FUNCTIONS,
AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR

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 ‘Philippine Institute for

Aging’ Act.

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policies and Objectives - It is the policy of the
State to protect and promote the right to health of the people and instil health
consciousness among them through the adoption of an integrated and
comprehensive approach to health development which shall aim to make
essential goods, health and social services available to all the people at

affordable cost, particularly to the underprivileged, sick and disabled elderly.

Pursuant thereto, this Act aims to motivate the senior citizens to actively
participate in nation-building, and to encourage their families and the

communities they live in to reaffirm the Filipino value of caring for the elderly.


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SECTION 3. Establishment of the Philippine Institute for Aging - To carry
out the policies and objectives of this Act, there is hereby established a Philippine
Institute for Aging, hereinafter referred to as the Institute, created under the

Department of Health.

SECTION 4. Functions of the Institute — The Philippine Institute for Aging

shall have the following functions :

a) Formulate and implement policies and programs designed to achieve the
objectives of this Act;
b) Promote and conduct studies and researches on aging with the end of

finding solutions to the issues and challenges confronting the elderly

populations;

¢) Establish collaborations and linkages with similar and allied academic and
research institutions, both local and international;

d) Receive and manage grants, aids, donations and other kinds of
assistance for the purpose of achieving its objectives in accordance with
existing laws and regulations;

) Organize and conduct information campaigns, education and training

programs for the public and other stakeholders in advancement of the
objectives of this Act; and,
f) Perform all other acts as may be necessary to achieve the Institute’s

objectives in accordance with existing laws and regulations.
SECTION 5. Board of Directors; Powers and Composition — The powers of
the Institute shall be vested in and exercised by a Board of Directors, hereinafter

referred to as the Board, which shall be composed of :

a) The Chairperson who shall be the Secretary of the Department of Health;


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b) An Executive Director; and,

c) Three (3) recognized scholars or specialists in the field of gerontology and
aging who shall be recommended by their respective professional
associations and appointed by the President of the Republic of the

Philippines.

The Board shall organize a corps of scientists and researchers and a Secretariat
to be headed by the Executive Director. It shall fix the Institute's staffing pattern,
determine their qualifications, duties and responsibilities, as well as a scheme of

compensation and honoraria in accordance with existing laws.

Except for the Chairman, the members of the Board shall serve for a term of
three (3) years from the date of their appointment and shall be eligible for one (1)

reappointment.

SECTION 6. The Executive Director; Functions and Qualifications - The
Executive Director shall be the chief executive of the Institute and shall exercise
direct control and supervision over the internal operations and personnel of the
Institute. He or she is hereby authorized to represent the Institute in all

transactions.

The Executive Director shall be a recognized scholar in health research and
development and shall be appointed by the President of the Republic of the

Philippines

SECTION 7. Public-Private Partnerships — To enable the Institute to perform
its functions and achieve its objectives, it is hereby empowered to enter into

agreements with the public and private sectors : Provided that, any agreement


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entered into by it shall be subject to review and approval by the Secretary of the

Department of Health.

SECTION 8. Appropriations - The amount necessary to carry out the initial
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the General Appropriations
Act. Thereafter, such sums as may be needed for the continued operation of the
Institute shall be included in the budgetary allocation of the Department of

Health in the General Appropriations Act

SECTION 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations - Within sixty (60) days
from the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of the Department of Health shall
formulate and promulgate the rules and regulations necessary for the effective

implementation of this Act.

SECTION 10. Separability Clause - if any portion or provision of this Act is
declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions hereof not affected

thereby shall remain valid and effective.

SECTION 11. Repealing Clause - All laws, presidential decrees, executive
orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of

this Act, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly

SECTION 12. Effectivity Clause - The Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days

after its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2)

newspapersof general circulation.

Approved.