THE House of Representatives approved Wednesday a bill strengthening the government’s national health program for senior citizens through a comprehensive nutrition and wellness program to prevent poor nutrition of the elderly and illnesses related to it.
The chamber has approved on third and final reading House Bill (HB) No. 8461 which seeks to amend Republic Act (RA) No. 7432 or the Senior Citizens Act, as amended, with a vote of 266.
“This bill is a testament of the commitment of the House of Representatives to support legislations that will improve the lives of the Filipino people, especially our elderly and senior citizens who
truly deserve recognition and protection for their years of service to the nation,” Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, head of the 312-strong House of Representatives, said. “This comprehensive program aims to promote and protect the right of senior citizens to health and instill consciousness on the need for their health and proper nutrition.”
“House Bill 8461 particularly mandates the National Nutrition Council, Department of Health and local government units (LGUs) to prepare a comprehensive nutrition and wellness program to serve as guide for senior citizens to nutritionally balanced meals that can prevent conditions related to poor nutrition,” Speaker Romualdez said.
The proposed legislation also requires the LGUs, through the Office for the Senior Citizens Affairs, to integrate the comprehensive nutrition and wellness program in their respective programs for senior
citizens.
Reps. Rodolfo “Ompong” M. Ordanes, Jane T. Castro, Ruth Mariano-Hernandez, Rachel Marguerite B. Del Mar, Ma. Victoria Co-Pilar, Milagros Aquino-Magsaysay, Eulogio R. Rodriguez, Jose Maria
R. Zubiri, Jr., Gabriel H. Bordado Jr., Salvador A. Pleto, and Romulo “Kid” Peña, Jr. have introduced the bill.
