MANILA — The Senate has approved on third and final reading a bill creating the Philippine Geriatric Center (PGC), a specialty hospital dedicated to senior citizens.

Senate Bill No. 1509 was passed in a 23-0 vote on February 3. The measure seeks to establish a tertiary hospital under the Department of Health that will provide preventive, curative, rehabilitative, and age-appropriate care for elderly Filipinos.

“Magiging mas madali nang matupad ang good health at long life na lagi nating wini-wish tuwing birthday ng ating mga lolo’t lola dahil sa pagpasa ng Philippine Geriatric Center Act,” Senator Risa Hontiveros, author of the measure, said.

A counterpart bill was approved by the House of Representatives in December 2025. The measure is also listed as a priority by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council and included in the Department of Health’s legislative agenda.

The Senate version requires that the PGC be constructed, fully equipped, and operational within five to seven years from enactment to prevent it from becoming a “white elephant.” Amendments include prioritizing indigent senior citizens, integrating social welfare programs, mandating age-friendly facilities, and requiring that the hospital be led by a licensed physician with experience in geriatric care and hospital management.

The bill now awaits the remaining legislative steps before it can become law. If enacted, the PGC would be the first hospital in the Philippines dedicated solely to geriatric care, supporting the country’s efforts to expand specialty healthcare services for an aging population.