PASAY CITY—The Philippine Senate actively advanced its health care agenda on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, moving to expand specialty care for senior citizens and streamline medical assistance for the financially vulnerable. 

In a determined push for quality and affordable health services, the chamber commenced interpellations on two critical measures, underscoring the legislative commitment to the nation's well-being. This deliberate action sets the stage for potentially significant reforms in the country’s health system infrastructure and financial coverage.

A central piece of the Senate’s recent session was the deliberation on Senate Bill No. 1509, which mandates the establishment of the Philippine Geriatric Center. This proposed tertiary specialty hospital under the Department of Health (DOH) aims to provide holistic and dedicated medical, rehabilitative, and palliative care for the growing population of Filipino senior citizens. 

By creating a National Geriatric Health Registry and ensuring the center's services are integrated into the existing Universal Health Care framework, the bill seeks to institutionalize high-quality, scientifically-backed, and accessible care for the elderly.

Concurrently, the Senate began discussions on Senate Bill No. 1593, which seeks to create the Universal Health Care Medical Assistance Program (UMAP). This measure aims to abolish bureaucratic hurdles, such as the guarantee letter system, by integrating and professionalizing the government’s existing Medical Assistance to Indigent and Financially Incapacitated Persons (MAIFIP) Program. 

UMAP promises to make life-saving inpatient care universal and immediate, especially for indigents and patients facing catastrophic illnesses, while explicitly prohibiting political patronage in the distribution of aid. The legislative efforts collectively demonstrate a strategic, two-pronged approach to tackle both the accessibility of specialized care and the financial barriers preventing Filipinos from receiving prompt medical treatment.

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