Congress is prioritizing the establishment of a specialized hospital for the elderly to serve more than 9.2 million senior citizens as the country’s aging population continues to grow, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said Monday.
The Senate has approved on third and final reading Senate Bill 1509, or the proposed Philippine Geriatric Center Act, which seeks to create a tertiary specialty hospital under the Department of Health focused on comprehensive geriatric care.
The measure, also approved by the House of Representatives, will soon be taken up by a bicameral conference committee.
Zubiri said the proposed center will also function as a training and research hub to raise standards of elderly care nationwide and address age-specific health needs.
He added that the bill is a priority under the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council, reflecting a shared commitment by Congress and the Executive to prepare the health system for demographic changes.
Source: PhilNews24 | February 10, 2026
