The Senate unanimously approved on third and final reading Senate Bill No. 1509, or the proposed Philippine Geriatric Center Act, bringing the creation of a specialty hospital for senior citizens closer to reality.
The measure, sponsored by Senate Deputy Majority Leader Risa Hontiveros, seeks to establish the Philippine Geriatric Center to enhance access to specialized healthcare services for elderly Filipinos.
“Many thanks to my colleagues in the Senate as we once again united for another ‘happy bill’ for our fellow Filipinos, particularly our senior citizens. The good health and long life that we always wish for our grandparents on their birthdays will now be easier to achieve,” said Hontiveros.
The senator voiced hope for the bill’s swift enactment, noting that a counterpart version was approved by the House of Representatives in December 2025, identified as a priority by the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council, and included in the Department of Health’s executive legislative agenda.
An amendment she introduced mandates that the Philippine Geriatric Center be constructed, fully equipped, and operational within five to seven years to prevent it from becoming an idle government project.
The Department of Health is expected to lead the implementation of the measure once enacted into law.
The bill also incorporates an amendment from Senator Robin Padilla directing the facility to prioritize indigent and low-income older persons and other vulnerable aging populations.
Amendments from Senator Pia Cayetano integrate social welfare and protection programs into geriatric services and require age-friendly amenities and facilities within the hospital.
Hontiveros also acknowledged the support of Senators Bong Go, Mark Villar, Lito Lapid, Jinggoy Estrada, Loren Legarda, Erwin Tulfo, Raffy Tulfo, Joel Villanueva, and Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri in refining and advancing the proposed measure.
“You can count on me to continue working in the Senate with my colleagues to pass more laws that will promote the health of every Filipino,” she said.
House Committee on Human Rights chairman and Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. welcomed the Senate’s unanimous approval of the proposed Philippine Geriatric Center Act.
He said the measure builds on earlier action by the House of Representatives, which passed its version of the bill on third and final reading in December 2025.
The Senate voted 23-0 to approve on third and final reading Senate Bill No. 1509, which seeks to establish a specialty center dedicated to comprehensive and age-appropriate health care for older Filipinos.
The House-approved National Center for Geriatric Health bill, which was passed ahead of the Christmas break, now serves as the foundation for completing the remaining legislative steps toward enacting the measure into law.
“Long before this measure reached the Senate floor, the House had already made clear that establishing a dedicated hospital for senior citizens is a priority. The Senate’s action today affirms that this is a shared commitment.”
Abante said the House’s passage of the geriatric health measure formed part of the approval of 12 priority bills under the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC).
These included measures institutionalizing assistance to individuals in crisis situations, strengthening reintegration support for overseas Filipino workers, and improving access to specialized healthcare for the elderly.
“For many years, I have been advocating for a hospital that truly understands the unique health needs of our lolos and lolas—one that treats them with the dignity, respect, and compassion they deserve,” Abante said.
“The House took the lead in December because our seniors cannot afford further delay. This is not just about passing a bill—it is about delivering on a long-overdue promise to our senior citizens,” he added.
