Senator Villar pushes for passage of Geriatric Center Act for elderly Filipinos

MANILA — Senator Mark Villar, principal author and co-sponsor of the proposed Philippine Geriatric Center Act, welcomed the measure’s progress after the Senate interpellations last December.

In a news release, Villar said the bill is now set for second and third reading, paving the way for expanded access to specialized healthcare services for Filipino senior citizens.

“The focus of this bill has always been to ease the burdens of our seniors and their families,” Villar said. “As our population ages, we must ensure they receive dignified, comprehensive care that addresses their unique needs. This legislation will significantly improve access to geriatric services, reduce the strain on families providing care, and promote healthier, more independent lives for our elderly.”

The measure seeks to establish the Philippine Geriatric Center, a national tertiary specialty hospital under the Department of Health (DOH) that will serve as the nation’s premier facility for geriatric medicine, research, and training.

It also mandates nationwide coordination among the DOH, local government units (LGUs), and other stakeholders to strengthen and expand integrated geriatric health services across the country.

Aside from the creation of the Philippine Geriatric Center, the bill’s key provisions are:

• nationwide coordination with LGUs for the expansion of geriatric health services;

• training of healthcare workers on geriatrics and age-related conditions, and

• development of a comprehensive program that includes preventive services, rehabilitation, and multidisciplinary treatment for older persons.

Once enacted, Villar said the law will help seniors receive specialized medical attention at lower costs, adding that the law will help the country honor and protect its aging population.

Villar urged senators to support the measure’s swift passage because "investing in geriatric care is an investment in the well-being of Filipino families and the nation’s future."

-Paraluman News