Agimat party-list Rep. Bryan Revilla filed a bill to provide affordable maintenance medicines, vitamins, and milk products for Filipino senior citizens in order to strengthen their right to accessible healthcare while granting key tax exemptions to further lower costs.
House Bill 281, or the proposed “Abot-Kayang Gamot, Bitamina at Gatas Para sa Malusog na Senior Citizen Act,” seeks to establish a government-subsidized program that will make essential health products more affordable for senior citizens through participating pharmacies, grocery outlets, and health centers nationwide.
A major feature of the proposed law is the exemption of covered medicines, vitamins, and milk products from the Expanded Value Added Tax (EVAT)—a provision expected to significantly reduce retail prices for qualified senior citizen beneficiaries.
“Health is a basic right that does not end with age. Through this measure, we are giving our senior citizens the care and respect they deserve. They cared for us—now it’s our turn to take care of them,” Revilla said.
The bill also mandates the creation of a Senior Citizens Health and Nutrition Fund, to be administered by the Department of Health (DOH) in coordination with local government units (LGUs). The fund will finance the procurement and distribution of essential health items and will be sourced from the national budget, PhilHealth allocations, and other public healthcare funds.
Covered items will include maintenance drugs for common illnesses among the elderly—such as diabetes, hypertension, arthritis, and cardiovascular conditions—along with vitamins and fortified milk products.
The proposed program is designed to complement Republic Act 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, by providing targeted and sustainable support for preventive health and nutrition.
