Senate Passes Bill Creating the Philippines' First-Ever Geriatric Hospital — Lolo and Lola Finally Getting Their Own Specialty Center
Filipino senior citizens may finally get the healthcare facility they deserve. The Senate has passed Senate Bill 1509 on third and final reading with a unanimous 23-0 vote, creating the Philippine Geriatric Center (PGC) — the country's first hospital dedicated solely to elderly care. The House passed its own version back in December 2025.
Senator Risa Hontiveros, the bill's principal author, said the measure brings the country closer to making "good health at long life" more than just a birthday wish for lolo and lola. The PGC will be a tertiary specialty hospital under the Department of Health, focusing on preventive, curative, rehabilitative, and age-appropriate care for aging Filipinos.
Key amendments ensure the center won't become another government white elephant: Hontiveros added a requirement that it be fully constructed, equipped, and operational within five to seven years. Senator Robin Padilla pushed for prioritizing indigent and low-income seniors, while Pia Cayetano mandated age-friendly amenities and integration of social welfare programs.
Senator Bong Go co-authored a provision requiring the PGC to be headed by a licensed physician with actual experience in geriatric care and hospital administration — not just any political appointee. The bill is designed to align with the country's universal healthcare framework.
The timing matters: the Philippines' senior population is growing rapidly, and existing hospitals aren't designed for the unique needs of elderly patients. With four government specialty hospitals already receiving an additional ₱1 billion each under the 2026 budget for zero-balance billing, adding a geriatric center feels like a natural — and overdue — next step. Ang tagal na rin natin hinintay 'to.
Source: GMA News
