The Senate on Monday approved a measure seeking to establish the Philippine Geriatric Center (PGC), a specialized tertiary hospital aimed at strengthening health services for Filipino senior citizens.
Senate Bill No. 1509 was approved on third and final reading with 23 affirmative votes, no negative votes, and no abstentions.
Authored and sponsored by Senator Risa Hontiveros, the proposed Philippine Geriatric Center is envisioned to address the increasing healthcare needs of older Filipinos, as life expectancy continues to rise.
“Hindi natin maikakailang habang humahaba ang buhay, posibleng dumarami rin ang ating mga karamdaman,” Hontiveros said.
Hontiveros also pointed to the severe shortage of specialists and facilities dedicated to geriatric care, emphasizing the urgency of improving elder care in the country.
“Napakakaunti pa lang ng geriatricians… Wala ring sentro at espesyalistang ospital na nakatuon sa kanila,” she said.
The bill was approved after Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri moved for its consideration on third reading.
“I move that we take or consider for third reading Senate Bill No. 1509, an act establishing the Philippine Geriatric Center,” Zubiri said during the session.
Under the measure, the PGC will provide comprehensive medical, diagnostic, rehabilitative, wellness, and long-term care services specifically tailored for older persons. It will also serve as a teaching and training hospital for healthcare professionals, social workers, and community volunteers specializing in geriatric care.
An amendment introduced by Hontiveros ensures that the PGC will be fully functional and sustainable, preventing it from becoming a dormant government project.
The center will also support research on aging-related diseases and help develop standards for elder-sensitive health services in coordination with government agencies, local government units, and private stakeholders.
To improve accessibility, the Philippine Geriatric Center will be integrated into the Universal Health Care system, with priority given to indigent and low-income senior citizens.
