Senate unanimously approves bill creating dedicated senior citizens hospital within 5–7 years

The Philippines took a step toward establishing a specialized health facility for senior citizens as the Senate passed the Philippine Geriatric Center (PGC) Act on its third and final reading. On Monday, senators unanimously approved the measure, which aims to institutionalize a comprehensive and integrated geriatric care system.

Under the proposed measure, the Philippine Geriatric Center (PGC) would be constructed under the supervision of the Department of Health (DOH) and is intended to provide medical, diagnostic, rehabilitative, wellness and long-term care services for older persons.

The DOH is tasked with building and making the center operational within five to seven years after the law takes effect.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros, the principal author of the measure in the Senate, said the vote reflects a broad commitment to strengthening care for aging Filipinos.

She described the hospital as a way to honor older citizens and respond to their specific needs. “We owe our elderly citizens so much. They deserve to be repaid for their sacrifice with adequate and competent care, especially for the ailing and fragile ones,” Hontiveros said.

Senate amendments include Sen. Robin Padilla’s proposal to prioritize indigent and low-income seniors, Sen. Pia Cayetano’s provision to integrate social welfare programs and age-friendly facilities, and a requirement that the center’s head be a licensed physician with geriatric and hospital administration experience.

A companion bill cleared the House of Representatives in December 2025 and has been tagged as a priority by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council. It is also part of the Department of Health’s executive legislative agenda. The Senate and House versions are expected to be reconciled before being sent to the President.

Authors of the bill said a specialized hospital is needed because older patients often require services not available in general health facilities. Hontiveros said establishing the center reflects a broader effort to strengthen health care for a rapidly aging population.

The Philippine Statistics Authority said senior citizens accounted for 9.6% of the country’s 113.7 million population in 2025, just below the 10% threshold international agencies such as the World Bank use to define an “aging society.”