Senate ‹Office of the Sarcortarp TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session ) 25 AUG 18 P4:32 SENATE RECEIVED BY: S.B. No. 1204 INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS AN ACT PROVIDING FOR FREE MAINTENANCE MEDICATION, VITAMINS, AND SUPPLEMENTS FOR SENIOR CITIZENS EXPLANATORY NOTE The Philippine Constitution, under Article XIII, Section 11, mandates the State to adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development, giving priority to the needs of the underprivileged, elderly, women, and children. In line with this constitutional directive, the proposed measure seeks to address one of the most pressing concerns of our growing senior citizen population - access to consistent and affordable healthcare, specifically maintenance medications, vitamins, and supplements. As senior citizens age, many develop chronic health conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, and cardiovascular diseases that require lifelong medication. Unfortunately, the cost of maintenance drugs and health supplements remains a significant burden for many elderly Filipinos, especially those with limited or no income. While the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 (Republic Act No. 9994) provides for various health and social benefits, access to regular maintenance medications and essential vitamins remains inconsistent and, in many cases, inaccessible. This bill, titled the "Lingap Gamot at Resistensya Pack Para sa Nakatatandang Pinoy Act," seeks to institutionalize a program that will provide free maintenance medications, vitamins, and supplements to all eligible senior citizens. The measure also ensures that the oldest-old, frail, and bedridden senior citizens receive these health essentials through door-to-door delivery facilitated by designated barangay health workers. Furthermore, the bill proposes the expansion of PhilHealth's GAMOT package to cover medications and supplements not readily available in local health centers and
pharmacies, ensuring no senior citizen is left behind due to stock limitations or supply issues. Through effective inter-agency coordination among the Department of Health (DOH), National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and senior citizens associations, the bill aims to create an accessible and sustainable healthcare delivery mechanism for older Filipinos, By institutionalizing this program, we not only uphold the constitutional mandate to care for our senior citizens but also affirm our collective commitment to honoring their lifelong contributions to our nation. In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. RISA HONTIVEROS Senator
Senate Offier of the Beercarp TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 25 AUG 18 P4:32 First Regular Session RECEIVED BY: SENATE S.B. No. 1204 INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS AN ACT PROVIDING FOR FREE MAINTENANCE MEDICATION, VITAMINS, AND SUPPLEMENTS FOR SENIOR CITIZENS Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives in the Philippines assembled:
Section 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the "Lingap Gamot
2 at Resistensya Pack Para sa Nakatatandang Pinoy Act."
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State shall adopt an integrated and
comprehensive approach to health development, which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health, and other social services available to all the people at affordable cost, giving priority to the needs of the underprivileged, sick, elderly, persons with disabilities, women, and children. It is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote and protect the g health and well-being of senior citizens by providing free medical care and support to ensure their continued and meaningful participation and contribution in society.
Sec. 3. Free Maintenance Medications, Vitamins, and Supplements.
12 - The government shall provide free maintenance medications, vitamins, and supplements to all senior citizens, as defined under Republic Act No. 9994, otherwise known as the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010.
Sec. 4. Eligibility and Registration. - To qualify for the free monthly
maintenance medications, vitamins, and supplements, a senior citizen must: a) be a registered senior citizen with the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA);
b) be enlisted in the target client list of the barangay health center where they reside; c) be assigned to a primary healthcare provider; and d) have a valid prescription issued within the last three (3) months.
Sec. 5. Access to Maintenance Medications, Vitamins, and
Supplements. - The free maintenance medications, vitamins, and supplements shall be accessed through barangay health centers, Botika ng Bayan, and/or deputized and accredited pharmacies. Provided, that access to and delivery of these items for the oldest-old, frail, and bedridden senior citizens shall be done directly by designated barangay health worker.
Sec. 6. PhilHealth GAMOT for Senior Citizens. - Maintenance
medications, vitamins, and supplements needed by senior citizens but not readily available shall be covered under, and in addition to, PhilHealth's current Guaranteed and Accessible Medications for Outpatient Treatment (GAMOT) package.
Sec. 7. Implementation and Coordination. - The Department of
Health (DOH) shall be responsible for the implementation of this Act. It shall coordinate with relevant agencies, including but not limited to the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and recognize senior citizens association, to ensure the efficient allocation and distribution of the free maintenance medications, vitamins, and supplements.
Sec. 8. Monitoring and Reporting. - The DOH shall establish a
monitoring system to track the allocation, distribution, and utilization of the free maintenance medications, vitamins, and supplements. An annual report shall be submitted to Congress detailing the program's effectiveness and its impact on the health and well-being of senior citizens.
Sec. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DOH, in
coordination with concerned agencies including PhilHealth, NCSC, DSWD, DILG, and recognize senior citizens associations shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to implement this Act effectively within ninety (90) days from its effectivity.
Sec. 10. Separability Clause. - If any part, section, or provision of this
2 Act is held invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions not affected shall remain in full force and effect.
Sec. 11. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules, and
regulations, or parts thereof, inconsistent with 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 two (2) newspapers of general circulation. Approved.