HAs part of his efforts to prioritize the welfare of the senior citizens, Bohol's First District Rep. Rene L. Relampagos filed House Bill 3164, or an “Act Establishing an Eldercare Center for Abused, Unattended, Abandoned, Neglected and Homeless Senior Citizens in the First District of the Province of Bohol, Appropriating Funds Therefor and for other Purposes.” Relampagos said that the measure shall cover all persons who are residents of the First District, who are 60 years old and above who are abused, unattended, abandoned, neglected and homeless. He explained that the bill is anchored on the policy of the state which calls on to protect and promote the right to health of people, to give priority for the needs of the underprivileged sick, elderly, disabled men and women; to establish a special agency for disabled persons for their rehabilitation, self-development and self-reliance and their integration into the mainstream of society, and may care for elderly members of society through just programs of social security.

Relampagos said that no less than the 1987 Philippine Constitution specifically provides that, “there shall be priority for the needs of the underprivileged, sick, elderly, disabled, women and children.” He said senior citizens have unique needs, including but not limited to assisted living, adult day care, long-term care, hospice care, nursing home and in-home care. “With the growing number of unattended, neglected, abandoned elderly in the country, the creation of homes to be located in the strategic Municipality of Loon, Bohol that will serve as havens for the senior citizens such as those found by the DSWD in Davao Region will be seen as one of the State's most humble share to the care of the elderly who remain as pillars of our family, society, culture and history,” Relampagos said. The secretary of DSWD shall promulgate rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of the Act and shall see to it that such are responsive to the needs and welfare of senior citizens as defined in the Act not later than 60 days after the date of its enactment, in coordination with the DOH and the DILG.

Relampagos added that the site of the center shall be constructed, established, staffed and/or operated and managed exclusively by the DSWD in the Municipality of Loon, in coordination with and support of the DOH. The said center will be located near Loon Community Hospital. He added that the center shall also accept donations, supports and grants from private and domestic and foreign groups, non-government, peoples and civic organizations and foreign governments for sole purpose of the center's construction, establishment, staffing and continued operation. He stressed that the senior citizens who benefited from his senior citizen programs before the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) was stopped, need not worry because he would find other ways to promote their wellness and assist them in their health and other needs. (by Jill Christianae R. Robinson)