Senate Office of the Secretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) MAY -4 P3:22 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session RECEIVED BY: SENATE Senate Bill No. 2082 Introduced by Senator Erwin T. Tulfo AN ACT PROVIDING FOR FREE DENTAL, VISION, AND HEARING ASSISTIVE DEVICES, INCLUDING DENTURES, PRESCRIPTION GLASSES, AND HEARING AIDS, TO SENIOR CITIZENS AND INDIGENTS EXPLANATORY NOTE Many Filipinos, particularly senior citizens and individuals with limited financial capacity, continue to experience untreated dental problems, vision impairment, and hearing loss due to the high cost of essential assistive devices such as dentures, prescription eyeglasses, and hearing aids. These essential assistive devices are not expressly included nor fully subsidized under existing laws such as Republic Act No. 9994 (Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010) and Republic Act No. 11223 (Universal Health Care Act). Available data further highlights the urgency of this concern. The Department of Health reports that up to 73 million Filipinos are affected by dental caries.' Studies likewise indicate a significant prevalence of ' Sheila Crisostomo, 73 Million Pinoys suffering from tooth decay, May 25, 2023, https://www.philstar.com/nation/2023/05/25/2268760/73-million-pinoys-suffering-tooth-decay, April 21, 2026
visual impairment (1.98%).? In terms of hearing health, studies show a clear increase in prevalence with age, affecting 7.5% of children, 14.7% of adults aged 18 to 65, and 49.1% of individuals aged 65 and older. For minimum wage earners, senior citizens, and indigent individuals, the cost of these devices often exceeds a month's income, excluding daily living expenses. As a result, acquiring them becomes financially unattainable. This lack of access can lead to reduced self- esteem, communication difficulties, and limited employment opportunities, ultimately diminishing one's quality of life. This bill seeks to address these gaps by providing a comprehensive benefit package that covers the cost of essential assistive devices, making them free and accessible to qualified beneficiaries. Through this measure, the State ensures that physical impairments will not hinder individuals from fully participating in society and enjoying opportunities available to others. In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. IT. TULFO ERWI 2 University of the Philippines Manila, https://www.peri.ph/philippine-eye-disease-study, April 21, 2026 3 John P Newall A National Survey of Hearing Loss in the Philippines July 1, 2020, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32608243/, April 21, 2026
Senate Office of tie Secretarp TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 26 MAY -4 P 3:22 First Regular Session RECEIVED BY: SENATE Senate Bill No. 2082 Introduced by Senator Erwin T. Tulfo AN ACT PROVIDING FOR FREE DENTAL, VISION, AND HEARING ASSISTIVE DEVICES, INCLUDING DENTURES, PRESCRIPTION GLASSES, AND HEARING AIDS, TO SENIOR CITIZENS AND INDIGENTS Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Free
2 Assistive Devices for Senior Citizens and Indigents Act".
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to
5 adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health 6 development that ensures the availability of essential goods, health 7 services, and other social services to all people. In line with its commitment to inclusive and accessible healthcare, the State shall 9 provide assistive devices such as dentures, hearing aids, and 10 prescription eyeglasses to help promote the overall well-being of senior citizens and indigent individuals.
SEC. 3. Coverage. - This Act shall cover senior citizens,
referring to any citizen of the Philippines who is at least sixty (60) years
1 of age; and indigent persons, referring to individuals with no visible 2 means of income, or whose income is deemed insufficient for family 3 subsistence, as determined by the Department of Social Welfare and 4 Development (DSWD).
SEC. 4. Free Dental, Vision, and Hearing Assistive Devices. -
7 The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), in 8 coordination with the Department of Health (DOH), shall develop and 9 implement a special benefit package that shall fully cover the cost of 10 assistive devices, including but not limited to complete or partial 11 dentures, prescription eyeglasses, and hearing aids, for qualified senior 12 citizens and indigents. Medical and dental consultations, including the prescription of the assistive devices covered under this Act, shall be conducted in the 16 Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT), dental, or ophthalmology departments, 17 or, in the case of senior citizens, through the geriatric center of national or local government hospitals.
SEC. 5. Appropriations. -The amount necessary to implement
the provisions of this Act shall be included in the General Appropriations Act (GAA) and appropriated under the Department of Health (DOH) and the National Government subsidy to Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).
SEC. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within thirty
(30) days from the approval of this Act, the DOH and the PhilHealth, in coordination with the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC), the DSWD, and other relevant agencies, shall jointly formulate rules and guidelines necessary for the proper implementation 31 and enforcement of this Act.
SEC. 7. Separability Clause. - Should any provision or part of
2 this Act be declared unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions 3 and parts hereof, insofar as they are separable from the invalid ones, 4 shall remain in full force and effect.
SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, letters of
7 instruction, executive orders, rules and regulations, and other issuances 8 or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or 9 modified accordingly.
SEC. 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general 13 circulation. Approved,