CO-SPONSORSHIP SPEECH
AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE PHILIPPINE GERIATRIC CENTER, DEFINING ITS
PURPOSES AND OBJECTIVES, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Senate Bill No. 1509 under Committee Report No. 13
Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
November 12, 2025
Mr. President, distinguished colleagues, today I rise to co-sponsor Senate Bill No. 1509 entitled “An Act Establishing the Philippine Geriatric Center” reported by the Committee on Health under Committee Report No. 13, a specialized tertiary hospital dedicated to the care of our senior citizens. This proposed legislation places the welfare of our elderly at the forefront of national health development. It clearly embodies the State’s duty to adopt a comprehensive, integrated approach to health, one that recognizes the unique and growing needs of older Filipinos.
I filed Senate Bill No. 383, in response to the demographic reality that the Philippines is rapidly nearing the threshold of an aging society by 2030. Studies such as the Longitudinal Study of Aging and Health in the Philippines underscore the urgency of establishing institutions dedicated to geriatric care, lalo na habang tumataas ang life expectancy at lumalaki ang populasyon ng ating mga nakatatanda.
This measure strengthens and expands these intentions by creating a tertiary specialty hospital under the Department of Health, with clear mandates not only for patient care but also for research, training, capacity-building, and nationwide coordination among government agencies, LGUs, and healthcare facilities. It ensures that geriatric care will not only be curative but preventive, rehabilitative, and rooted in scientific evidence. It likewise requires the establishment of a National Geriatric Health Registry, which will help shape policies and ensure responsive services for our aging population.
Importantly, the measure affirms that accessibility and affordability must remain at the heart of this institution. Comprehensive services under Universal Health Care, PhilHealth coverage for age-related conditions, long-term care, palliative services, and capacity-building for healthcare professionals all come together to form a holistic system of support. Sa madaling salita, hindi lang ito ospital, isa itong sentro ng pag-asa, suporta, at dignidad para sa ating mga lolo at lola, lalo na sa mga wala nang ibang maasahan kundi ang serbisyo ng pamahalaan.
Mr. President, dear colleagues, sama-sama po nating itaguyod ang isang bansa na tunay na nagmamahal, gumagalang, at nag-aalaga sa ating mga nakatatanda. I urge the immediate passage of this measure.
Thank you, Mr. President.