NINETEENTH CONGRESS )
OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES)
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

House Bill No. 2 64

Introduced by Representative Christian Tell A. Yap

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Filipinos have a strong sense of filial piety and a long tradition of caring for aging relatives.
However, the changing economic and social environment of the country wherein Filipinos go abroad
to support their family, Filipinos living in poverty have a difficult time making ends meet for their
family and the increasing life expectancy of elderly require the State to step in to ensure that the special
needs and requirements of elderly Filipinos are met.

The National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP), the Department of Science and
Technology's (DOST) policy advisory body, is pushing for the implementation of policy proposals

aimed at improving senior citizens’ benefits, privileges, and healthcare system.

In accordance to Article XV, Section 4 of the Philippine Constitution, “The family has the duty
to care for its elderly members although the State may also do so through just programs of social
security.” The research council also pushes the feasibility of the creation and operation of community-
based caregiving services that may cater to neglected or older persons living alone and those needing

after hospital care.

The Province of Tarlac, classified as a first-class province can provide the rural atmosphere
that is needed to nurture the elderly and provide them with a restful environment not only for the

province but for whole Central Luzon Region.

This bill seeks to establish an elderly care and nursing complex in the province Tarlac.



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NINETEENTH CONGRESS )
OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

House Bill No._284

Introduced by Representative Christian Tell A. Yap

AN ACT
TO ESTABLISH AN ELDERLY CARE AND NURSING COMPLEX IN THE
PROVINCE OF TARLAC

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress

assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Tarlac Elderly Care and
Nursing Complex Act”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — 1t is hereby declared the policy of the State to
provide elderly care and nursing complex in every local government unit by providing quality
and affordable care and nursing facilities to elderly Filipinos, However, for purposes of this Act,
a pilot elderly care and nursing project complex will be constructed in the province of Tarlac to

serve as the testing site and ultimately the model for such elderly care and nursing complex

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. — For purposes of this Act, the following terms are
hereby defined

a) Elderly -is a person who is sixty (60) years old and above
b) Elderly Care ~ is the fulfilment of the special needs and requirements of the elderly
©) Nursing Complex ~ refers to the place and the facilities that are designed to provide

skilled care to the elderly twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week

SECTION 4. Coverage. ~ This Act shall apply to all elderly persons who wish to avail of
the elderly care and nursing complex in Tarlac and/or whose family members cannot provide or

meet the special needs and requirements of the elderly.

SECTION 5. Administration and Supervision. The Provincial Governor shall
designate the area in the province where to establish the proposed elderly care and nursing
complex. He shall appoint the person or entity who will administer and supervise the elderly care

and nursing complex.


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SECTION 6. Role of Government Agencies and Instrumentalities. - Government
agencies and instrumentality shall provide the necessary assistance and support to fulfil the needs

of the elderly residing in this elderly care and nursing complex.

SECTION 7. Role of Family Members. - Family members shall be provided with
adequate information on the system as well as for sharing experiences to enable them to care for

their elderly

SECTION 8. Personnel Recruitment and Incentives. ~ All personnel involved in the
Complex shall have adequate and appropriate education and training to be determined by the

Department of Health, in consultation with the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

SECTION. 9. Appropriations. - To carry out the provisions of this Act, there is hereby
appropriated the sum of Fifty Million Pesos (PS0,000,000.00) from the General Appropriations
Act for the current year. Thereafter, the appropriation for such funds as may be necessary for the

purpose shall be provided for in the General Appropriations Act

SECTION. 10.Repealing Clause. ~ All provisions of laws, orders, decrees, including
rules and regulations inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed and/or modified accordingly

SECTION 11. Separability Clause. — If any part or provision of this Act shall be held to
be unconstitutional or invalid, other provisions hereof which are not effected thereby shall

continue to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 12. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its

complete publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation

Approved,