Senate approves bicameral report establishing Philippine Geriatric Center
The Senate ratified the bicameral conference report that creates the Philippine Geriatric Center as the national hub for elder health services.
On Tuesday, the Senate voted to ratify the bicameral conference committee report that reconciles Senate Bill 1509 with House Bill 6739, fulfilling a priority of the Marcos administration. The approved legislation creates the Philippine Geriatric Center (PGC) as the national coordinating body for geriatric health, while the existing Evangelina Macaraeg Macapagal Geriatric Health Center will function as the temporary tertiary referral hub.
Senator Risa Hontiveros highlighted the importance of ensuring seniors retain access to specialized, high-quality care as life expectancy rises. Majority Floor Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri moved to approve the report, and Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian declared it adopted without objection. The law mandates that the PGC become fully operational within five to seven years, establishing formal referral and counter-referral mechanisms.
Why it matters
It sets up a national system to improve health care for the Philippines' growing elderly population.
In this story
