Homes for the Elderly Act

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 25 JUL 14 P2:50 First Regular Session RECE SENATE Senate Bill No. Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA AN ACT MANDATING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF NURSING HOMES FOR THE ABANDONED, NEGLECTED, UNATTACHED, OR HOMELESS SENIOR CITIZENS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7432, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS "AN ACT TO MAXIMIZE THE CONTRIBUTION OF SENIOR CITIZENS TO NATION BUILDING, GRANT BENEFITS AND SPECIAL PRIVILEGES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES," AS AMENDED, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE Recent data underscores a critical demographic shift in the Philippines: the ageing of its population. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), as of 2020, there were 9,242,121 Filipinos aged 60 and above, and 5,866,831 aged 65 and above. These figures represent 8.5% and 5.4% of the total population of 109,033,245, respectively. These numbers are expected to grow significantly in the coming decades due to improvements in life expectancy and declining birth rates. Culturally, Filipinos have long taken pride in caring for their elderly at home. The notion of institutionalizing care-such as placing aging family members in nursing homes-is often foreign and, in many cases, frowned upon. It is deeply ingrained in the Filipino identity to look after our elderly parents, grandparents, and relatives, particularly during the twilight of their lives. Unfortunately, the reality on the ground reveals a much more troubling picture. Across cities and towns, it is not uncommon to see elderly individuals begging, selling small goods on sidewalks, or sleeping outside train stations, churches, and other public spaces. Homelessness among senior citizens has emerged as a deeply concerning Issue.

This problem arises from a combination of socioeconomic and emotional factors. Many families are simply unable to provide the financial and logistical support needed to care for their aging members. Others may neglect or exclude elderly relatives, leading some senior citizens to voluntarily leave their homes due to feelings of abandonment or mistreatment. Current estimates suggest that as many as 90% of senior citizens in the country do not receive adequate care.1 The 1987 Philippine Constitution, under Section 11, Article XIII, clearly provides that "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. There shall be priority for the needs of the underprivileged, sick, elderly, disabled, women, and children. The State shall endeavor to provide free medical care to paupers." In line with this constitutional directive and in response to this growing crisis, the proposed measure seeks to institutionalize the care and protection of elderly Filipinos by mandating the establishment of at least one residential care facility, group home, or nursing home in every province and highly urbanized city. These facilities are envisioned to provide not only safe and secure shelter but also essential services that uphold the dignity and well-being of elderly residents. This includes the provision of nutritious food, proper clothing, medical and healthcare services, and psychosocial support. In addition, programs will be implemented to promote literacy, livelihood and vocational training, religious and cultural engagement, and efforts to reconnect estranged elderly individuals with their families through outreach and dialogue. Through this measure, the State affirms its commitment to ensuring that no elderly Filipino is left behind. It seeks to turn compassion into policy by creating a system of care that respects the worth of every senior citizen, upholding our cultural values while addressing the urgent social realities of our time. In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. JOEY/VILLANUEVA q Senior Citizen Benefits: It's More Fun to Live in PH in your Golden Years. Published on May 19, 2022. Retrieved from https://www.lumina.com.ph/news-and-blogs/blogs/senior-citizen-benefits-its-more-fun-to-live-in-ph-in- your-golden-years/(Last accessed on July 7, 2025).

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session JUL 14 P2:50 SENATE Senate Bill No. Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA AN ACT MANDATING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF NURSING HOMES FOR THE ABANDONED, NEGLECTED, UNATTACHED, OR HOMELESS SENIOR CITIZENS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7432, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS "AN ACT TO MAXIMIZE THE CONTRIBUTION OF SENIOR CITIZENS TO NATION BUILDING, GRANT BENEFITS AND SPECIAL PRIVILEGES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES," AS AMENDED, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 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 "Homes for the

2 Elderly Act."

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State

to value the dignity of every human person and guarantee full respect for human rights, extend assistance to its elderly citizens through programs of social security, and promote the right to health and safety of its senior citizens. Towards this end, the State shall extend assistance to neglected and homeless senior citizens by establishing nursing homes that will provide shelter and assistance for this marginalized sector.

SEC. 3. Nursing Homes. - Section 5 of Republic Act No. 7432, otherwise known

as "An Act to Maximize the Contribution of Senior Citizens to Nation Building, Grant Benefits and Special Privileges and for Other Purposes" as amended, is hereby amended to read as follows:

"SEC. 5. Government Assistance. - The government shall provide the following: XXX (d) Social Services At least fifty percent (50%) discount shall be granted on the consumption of electricity, water, and telephone by the senior citizens center and residential care/group homes that are government-run or non- stock, non-profit domestic corporation organized and operated primarily for the purpose of promoting the well-being of abandoned, neglected, unattached, or homeless senior citizens, subject to the guidelines formulated by the DSWD. IN ADDITION, THESE RESIDENTIAL CARE, GROUP HOMES OR NURSING HOMES SHALL BE EXEMPTED FROM THE PAYMENT OF CUSTOMS DUTIES, TAXES, AND TARIFFS ON THE PURCHASE AND IMPORTATION OF EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES USED ACTUALLY, DIRECTLY, AND EXCLUSIVELY BY THE NURSING HOME PURSUANT TO THIS ACT, INCLUDING THOSE DONATED TO THEM. ALL DONATIONS MADE TO THESE FACILITIES SHALL ALSO BE EXEMPT FROM DONOR'S TAXES AND SHALL BE ALLOWED AS A DEDUCTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE NATIONAL INTERNAL REVENUE CODE, AS AMENDED. THESE NURSING HOMES SHALL LIKEWISE BE EXEMPT FROM PAYMENT OF LOCAL BUSINESS TAXES. XXX (4) "substitute family care" in the form of residential care, [or] group homes, or NURSING HOMES for the abandoned, neglected, unattached, or homeless senior citizens and those incapable of self-care: PROVIDED, THAT THERE SHALL BE AT LEAST ONE (1) RESIDENTIAL CARE, GROUP HOME, OR NURSING HOME IN EVERY PROVINCE AND HIGHLY URBANIZED CITIES: PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING A COMFORTABLE AND SAFE LIVING QUARTERS, THE SERVICES THAT THESE ESTABLISHMENTS SHALL OFFER SHALL INCLUDE:

(i) ADEQUATE AND NURTRITIOUS FOOD; (ii) CLOTHING; (Ti) MEDICAL AND HEALTH CARE SERVICES; (iv) COUNSELLING; (v) FAMILY OUTREACH, RECONCILIATION AND DIALOGUE; (vi) LITERACY AND OTHER VOCATIONAL OR LIVELIHOOD TRAINING; AND (viT) RELIGIOUS, CULTURAL AND VOCATIONAL ACTIVITIES; PROVIDED, FINALLY, THAT THE DSWD, LGUS, NATIONAL COMMISSION OF SENIOR CITIZENS, AND OTHER APPROPRIATE AGENCIES SHALL COORDINATE AMONG EACH OTHER FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT, MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF THESE FACILITIES.

SEC. 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90) days

from the effectivity of this Act, the DSWD, in coordination with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Health (DOH), the National Commission of Senior Citizens, the Federation of Senior Citizens Associations of the Philippines, and other appropriate government agencies, the Confederation of Older Persons Associations of the Philippines, and other concerned stakeholders, shall issue the rules and regulations to effectively implement the provisions this Act.

SEC. 5. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the provisions

of this Act shall be included in the General Appropriations Act of the year following its enactment into law and every year thereafter.

SEC. 6. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is declared

unconstitutional, the remainder hereof or any provisions not affected thereby shall remain in force and effect.

SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,

executive order, letter of instruction, rule, or regulation inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 8. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,