WHEREAS, the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2003 or Republic Act (RA) No. 9257 provided for the availment of medical and health benefits as part of the Filipino elderly ™s privileges;

WHEREAS, RA No. 9257 mandated the National Coordinating and Monitoring Board (NCMB) to coordinate the conduct of a nationwide information and education campaign and other advocacy activities on RA No. 9257;

WHEREAS, the need for a national system of informing senior citizens and health providers on the health benefits and privileges of the elderly has been identified;

WHEREAS, the Department of Health (DOH) as a member of the NCMB has reiterated its commitment to strengthen the implementation of the guidelines on RA No. 9257, and has directed that all hospitals and other health facilities to post and/or publish a schedule of fees in the availment of health benefits, in strategic areas i.e admitting and billing sections, pharmacy, out-patient department and other ancillary service areas;

WHEREAS, it would be in the best interest of Filipino senior citizens and health providers to be apprised of their health benefits and privileges such as the amount of laboratory and diagnostic fees pursuant to DOH Administrative Order (AO) Nos. 177, Series of 2004 and 2008-0002, Series of 2008;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, AS IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, that the BOARD enjoins all government and private hospitals, clinics, as well as other medical/health facilities to print out, publish or post a schedule of medical benefits and health privileges of senior citizens under RA 9257, i.e., hospital bed rates, laboratory and diagnostic test fees, and in accordance with DOH guidelines, shall be placed at a strategic public place and regularly updated.
 
RESOLVED FURTHER, that the health benefits and medical privileges of senior citizens under DOH AO No. 177, Series of 2004, as presented in the attached matrix, be similarly disseminated.

RESOLVED FURTHER, that hospitals are encouraged to set aside a geriatric ward or at least reserve beds for senior citizens.

RESOLVED FURTHER that copies of this Resolution be furnished to the DOH, DILG, DTI, the Philippine Hospital Association (PHA), FSCAP, and respective OSCAs.

Adopted: 24 Dec. 2008

(SGD) ALICIA R. BALA
Alternate Chairperson
Undersecretary
Department of Social Welfare and Development

(SGD) ENCARNACION G, BLANCO
Vice-Chairperson
Assistant Secretary
Department of Interior and Local Government

(SGD) PAULYN JEAN ROSELL-UBIAL, MD.
Member
Assistant Secretary of Health
Field Implementation Management Office
Department of Health

(SGD) TERESITA R. DOMINGO
Member
Assistant Secretary
Department of Justice

(SGD)JOSE P. ORDO EZ, JR.
Member
National Secretary
Federation of Senior Citizens Association of the Philippines (FSCAP)

(SGD) MARIA SOCORRO S. SUERO
Member
Executive Director

(SGD) COL. EMMANUEL V. DE OCAMPO, AFP (RET.)
Member
President
Veterans Federation of the Philippines (VFP)

(SGD) FELIPE A. HIDALGO, JR.
Member
President
Alliance of Retired Postal Employees and Senior Citizens (ARPES)

(SGD) SR. NIEVA MANZANO, DC
Member
Executive Director
Louise de Marillac Foundation