Senior Health Aid and Community Visit Act of 2025

Senate Office of the Secretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 SEP 24 P5:53 SENATE RECEIVED BY: S.B. No. 141* INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS AN ACT ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE OUTREACH PROGRAM FOR SENIOR CITIZENS WITH FUNCTIONAL DISABILITIES, PROVIDING FOR THE REGULAR DISTRIBUTION OF ASSISTIVE DEVICES, HYGIENE KITS, AND COMMUNITY-BASED HEALTH VISITS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE The Filipino elderly, especially those with disabilities, face multiple layers of vulnerability-from poverty and neglect to limited access to essential health services. As our population ages, it is the responsibility of the State to ensure that no senior citizen is left behind, especially those who can no longer care for themselves without assistance. This bill seeks to establish the National Health Service Outreach Program for Senior Citizens, which will provide regular community-based health visits, free assistive devices, and hygiene kits to qualified senior citizens, particularly those with functional disabilities. Through this program, we aim to bring healthcare closer to our elderly- right to their doorsteps and barangays. This measure is grounded in a rights-based and inclusive approach. It recognizes that growing old with dignity is not a privilege, but a right. This bill complements our efforts to make universal healthcare more accessible, especially for marginalized and aging populations. Let us care for those who once cared for us. In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this measure is earnestly sought. achine sarague RISA HONTIVEROS Senator

Senate Office of the doraretaup TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 SEP 24 P5:53 SENATE RECEIVED BY: _ S.B. No. 1417 INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS AN ACT ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE OUTREACH PROGRAM FOR SENIOR CITIZENS WITH FUNCTIONAL DISABILITIES, PROVIDING FOR THE REGULAR DISTRIBUTION OF ASSISTIVE DEVICES, HYGIENE KITS, AND COMMUNITY-BASED HEALTH VISITS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in the Philippines assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Senior Health Aid

2 and Community Visit Act of 2025."

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to uphold the

5 dignity, independence, and well-being of senior citizens, particularly those with functional disabilities. Recognizing the challenges they face, the State shall establish a national service program to ensure access to assistive devices, community-based 8 care, and basic hygiene resources.

Sec. 3. Objectives. - The objectives of this Act are to:

a) Strengthen community-based public health interventions for seniors with disabilities; b) Integrate the provision of assistive medical devices into national and local health systems; c) Institutionalize regular community health visits for the monitoring, treatment, and support of functional impairments among seniors;

d) Provide health-related hygiene kits to prevent disease and promote personal health among vulnerable older populations; and e) Empower local health units and community health workers to provide inclusive and preventive care for aging populations.

Sec. 4. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act:

a) Seniors with Functional Disability - refers to individuals aged 60 years and above who have difficulty performing activities of daily living due to physical, cognitive, or sensory impairments. b) Assistive Devices - include, but are not limited to, wheelchairs, walkers, hearing aids, magnifiers, grab bars, and adaptive utensils. c) Community Visits - periodic home or community center visits by trained service providers, healthcare workers, or volunteers to provide care, social support, and monitoring. d) Hygiene Kits - kits containing basic personal hygiene supplies such as, but not limited to, adult diapers, soap, shampoo, toothpaste, hand sanitizers, incontinence pads, and sanitary wipes. e) Service Provider - any accredited individual, NGO, or government agency authorized to implement the provisions of this Act.

Sec. 5. Creation of the National Health Service Outreach Program for

Senior Citizens. - There is hereby established a National Health Service Outreach Program for Senior Citizens (NHSOPSC) Program under the Department of Health (DOH), in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC), and local government units (LGUs). The NHSOPSC Program shall: a) Identify and register seniors with functional disabilities; b) Assess individual needs through community-based assessments; c) Distribute assistive devices based on medical and functional needs; d) Coordinate and implement community visits at least once every two months; e) Provide hygiene kits to all qualified beneficiaries quarterly;

1) Maintain a digital and physical registry of beneficiaries and services rendered; g) Train barangay health workers and volunteers to deliver these services.

Sec. 6. Interagency and Local Government Coordination - To ensure a

5 holistic, rights-based, and community-centered approach to service delivery under this 6 Act, the Department of Health (DOH) shall coordinate with relevant government 7 agencies, local government units, and civil society organizations. Specifically: a) The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) shall conduct social profiling, identify priority beneficiaries, and facilitate services in coordination with the local Office of Senior Citizens Affair; b) The National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) shall provide policy and programmatic guidance in accordance with the rights and welfare of senior citizens, and support the promotion of community engagement and empowerment initiatives; c) The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) shall develop support mechanisms, including possible reimbursement schemes, for long-term assistive and geriatric care aligned with this Act. d) Local Government Units (LGUs) shall ensure the effective implementation and integration of programs and services at the local level, particularly through Barangay Health Units (BHUs) and other community-based health systems; and, e) Accredited Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Recognized Medical Societies - shall provide technical expertise, capacity-building support, and mobilize medical and allied health volunteers to augment service delivery efforts.

Sec. 7. Funding. - The appropriations necessary to implement the provisions

of this Act and its implementing rules shall be included in the respective budgets of the DOH, PhilHealth, and the DSWD under the General Appropriations Act (GAA).

Sec. 8. Penalties. - Any public official or employee found guilty of willful

neglect, misappropriation of funds, or discrimination in the implementation of this Act shall be subject to administrative and criminal liability under existing laws.

Sec. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DOH shall issue the

necessary implementing rules and regulations (IRR), in consultation with the aforementioned stakeholders, within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act.

Sec. 10. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared

unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

Sec. 11. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, and rules

inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Sec. 12. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation. Approved,