Gatchalian wants nursing home for abandoned senior citizens in all LGUs

Senator Win Gatchalian has refiled a bill that seeks to establish in every city and municipality a nursing home that shall serve abandoned and homeless senior citizens.

Under Senate Bill No. 950 or the "Homes for Abandoned Seniors Act of 2022," these nursing homes will be operated and maintained by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in coordination with local government units (LGUs) concerned. LGUs, however, will be tasked to build these nursing homes.

Gatchalian's measure takes inspiration from Valenzuela City's "Bahay Kalinga" and "Bahay Kanlungan Tahanan Nila Lolo at Lola," both of which provided home-like environments for senior citizens.

Bahay Kalinga, which was established in 2012, is a two-storey half-way home of 25 homeless or abandoned senior citizens. The four-storey "Bahay Kanlungan," which can accommodate up to 90 elderly residents, was opened in 2021. Bahay Kanlungan has its own clinic, physical therapists, psychologists, nutritionists, and house parents who watch over the senior citizens 24/7.

While Valenzuela City was able to come up with solutions to cater to the needs of abandoned and homeless elders, Gatchalian said that the number of unattended, neglected, and homeless seniors nationwide cannot be ignored.

"Tungkulin nating tiyakin na ang ating mga lolo at lola ay may maayos na tirahan at nakakatanggap ng sapat na pagkalinga. Upang matiyak natin na ang ating mga lolo at lola ay nabubuhay nang may dignidad kahit nawalay sa kanilang mga pamilya, isusulong nating mapatayuan ng nursing home ang mga nakatatanda sa bawat lungsod at munisipalidad," said Gatchalian.

Under Gatchalian's proposal, nursing homes for the homeless and abandoned elderly shall provide comfortable living quarters, adequate food and clothing, medical consultation or treatment, health care, and counseling, among others.

Gatchalian was the primary author of this measure when he filed this during the 17th and 18th Congresses.

Gatchalian: Magpatayo ng nursing home para sa inabandonang senior citizens sa lahat ng LGU

Nais ni Senador Win Gatchalian na magkaroon ng nursing home sa bawat lungsod at munisipalidad para sa mga senior citizens na inabandona at walang tahanan.

Inihain niya ang Senate Bill No. 950 o ang "Homes for Abandoned Seniors Act of 2022" kung saan ang mga nursing homes na ito ay patatakbuhin ng Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) sa tulong ng mga local government units (LGUs). Ang mga LGU naman ang magkakaroon ng responsibilidad na ipatayo ang mga nursing homes.

Inspirasyon ng panukalang batas ni Gatchalian ang "Bahay Kalinga" at "Bahay Kanlungan Tahanan Nila Lolo at Lola" na nagbibigay kalinga sa mga senior citizens sa lungsod ng Valenzuela.

Ang Bahay Kalinga na itinatag noong 2012 ay isang two-storey half-way home para sa dalawampu't limang (25) senior citizens na inabandona o walang tahanan. Ang four-storey na Bahay Kanlungan naman ay binuksan noong 2021 at nagbibigay tahanan sa siyamnapung (90) mga lolo at lola. May sarili itong clinic, physical therapists, psychologists, nutritionists, at yung tinatawag na house parents na magbabantay sa mga senior citizens sa buong maghapon.

Bagama't natutugunan ng lungsod ng Valenzuela ang pangangailangan ng mga senior citizens na inabandona at walang tahanan, sinabi ni Gatchalian na marami pang mga walang tahanang senior citizens ang kailangang bigyan ng saklolo.

"Tungkulin nating tiyakin na ang ating mga lolo at lola ay may maayos na tirahan at nakakatanggap ng sapat na pagkalinga. Upang matiyak natin na ang ating mga lolo at lola ay nabubuhay nang may dignidad kahit nawalay sa kanilang mga pamilya, isusulong nating mapatayuan ng nursing home ang mga nakatatanda sa bawat lungsod at munisipalidad," ani Gatchalian.

Sa ilalim ng panukala ni Gatchalian, magiging komportable ang mga nursing homes na ito dahil magbibigay ito ng sapat na pagkain, pananamit, serbisyong pangkalusugan, counseling, at iba pa.

Si Gatchalian ang pangunahing may akda ng panukalang ito na una na niyang inihain noong 17th at 18th Congress.