A specialty hospital dedicated to senior citizens is one step closer to becoming a reality after the Senate unanimously approved on third and final reading Senate Bill No. 1509, also known as the Philippine Geriatric Center (PGC) Act.
Senator Risa Hontiveros welcomed the 23-0 vote, saying the proposed hospital will significantly improve healthcare services for elderly Filipinos and help ensure better health and longer lives for senior citizens.
Hontiveros expressed hope that the bill will be signed into law soon, noting that a counterpart measure was already passed 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 legislative agenda.
The bill includes an amendment from Hontiveros mandating that the Philippine Geriatric Center be fully built, equipped, and operational within five to seven years to prevent it from becoming an idle government project.
Other amendments ensure the hospital will prioritize indigent and low-income seniors and vulnerable aging populations, integrate social welfare and protection programs with geriatric care, and provide age-friendly facilities.
Another provision requires that the head of the PGC be a licensed physician with expertise in geriatric care and hospital management.
“Malaki ang pasasalamat ko kina Sen. Robin, Sen. Pia at Sen. Bong para sa kanilang pagtulong na pinuhin pa ang panukalang batas para sa Philippine Geriatric Center. Maraming salamat rin sa mga kapwa kong authors ng bill, kasama si Sen. Bong, pati na rin sina Majority Leader Migz Zubiri, Sen. Mark Villar, Sen. Lito Lapid, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, Sen. Loren Legarda, Sen. Erwin Tulfo, Sen. Raffy Tulfo at Sen. Joel Villanueva,” said Hontiveros.IMT
