QUEZON CITY, Philippines — A lawmaker from Quezon City is pushing to build state-funded nursing homes across all cities and municipalities nationwide to offer refuge and institutional care to abandoned and homeless elderly Filipinos.
Quezon City 5th District Representative and House Deputy Majority Leader Patrick Michael “PM” Vargas introduced House Bill No. 2273, titled the “Homes for Abandoned Seniors Act,” to bridge what he highlighted as a major gap in institutional care for the country’s aging population.
“Habang ipinagdiriwang natin ang pamilya, huwag nating kalimutan ang ating mga lolo’t lola na walang matuluyan o naiwan dahil sa matinding hirap. Kapag hindi na kaya ng pamilya, ang pamahalaan ang dapat nilang maaasahan,” Vargas stated.
The proposed law requires local government units (LGUs) to dedicate land and fund the construction of these shelters, while the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will oversee their day-to-day operations and administration.
Vargas emphasized that existing financial stipends and community-level aid fall short for elderly individuals who have lost family support due to deep financial distress. He pointed out that current eldercare facilities are scarce and primarily run by private organizations or religious institutions concentrated in major cities.
“Hindi sapat ang buwanang ayuda kung wala namang ligtas na tirahan ang ating mga senior citizens kapag sila ay napabayaan. Dapat mayroong permanenteng pasilidad sa bawat LGU kung saan sila aalagaan at itatrato nang may dignidad,” he added.
If passed into law, the municipal and city shelters will deliver holistic residential services, including adequate living spaces, healthcare and medical assistance, psychological counseling, educational and skills programs, as well as family reintegration efforts.
Vargas noted that establishing these permanent centers is a overdue duty to honor the contributions of senior citizens who contributed to nation-building.
“Ang pag-unlad ng ating bansa ay itinayo sa sakripisyo ng ating mga senior citizens. Pagkatapos nilang ialay ang kanilang lakas para sa pamilya at bayan, karapat-dapat lamang na suklian natin ito ng kalinga sa kanilang huling mga taon,” Vargas said.