Bong Go files bill for nursing homes in every region

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has filed a measure seeking to establish a Nursing Home for Senior Citizens in every region of the country, in a bid to strengthen health care and social protection for the elderly.

Senate Bill No. 1779, or the Nursing Home for Senior Citizens Act, was filed on Monday, 9 February. The proposed measure seeks to institutionalize nursing home facilities that will provide accessible, long-term and specialized care for older Filipinos.

Under the bill, each region will have a dedicated facility designed to address the growing medical and daily care needs of senior citizens, particularly those requiring long-term treatment, rehabilitation and palliative services.

“Elderly individuals often suffer from chronic illnesses due to their advanced age. Their conditions often manifest in functional decline and cognitive impairments, which require long-term care, rehabilitation, and palliative services,” Go said.

The senator said the measure forms part of his broader push to make health services more accessible and responsive, especially for vulnerable sectors such as senior citizens.

“Ang Nursing Home for Senior Citizens ay malinaw na patunay ng ating malasakit at pagkilala sa mahalagang papel ng mga senior citizens sa ating lipunan at ng ating responsibilidad na tiyaking sila ay may access sa dekalidad, abot-kaya, at maayos na serbisyo,” Go stated.

As vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, Go emphasized the need to institutionalize elderly care facilities as part of a more holistic and inclusive health care system.

He said the proposal complements existing laws protecting senior citizens, including Republic Act No. 11350, or the National Commission of Senior Citizens Act, which created a dedicated agency to safeguard the welfare of older persons.

Go also co-authored Republic Act No. 11916, which increased the social pension of indigent senior citizens and amended Republic Act No. 7432, the first Senior Citizens Act.

In addition, he is one of the authors and a co-sponsor of Senate Bill No. 1509, or the Philippine Geriatric Center Act, which has been approved on third reading in the Senate. The measure seeks to establish a tertiary specialty hospital for older persons under the direct supervision of the Department of Health.

He likewise linked the proposal to Republic Act No. 11959, or the Regional Specialty Centers Act, which provides for the creation of specialty centers within DOH hospitals, including geriatric specialty care.

Through Senate Bill No. 1779, Go said he remains committed to advancing policies that strengthen the country’s health care system and uphold the welfare of senior citizens as the Philippines addresses the challenges of an aging population.

“Sa pamamagitan po nito ay masisiguro natin na magkakaroon ng isang pasilidad na nakatuon po sa pangangailangan ng ating mga lolo at lola,” the senator concluded.