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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Bryan Revilla's pet bill to make maintenance meds, milk affordable for senior citizens

Bryan Revilla's pet bill to make maintenance meds, milk affordable for senior citizens

Published Aug 9, 2025 05:29 pm

At A Glance

  • AGIMAT Party-list Rep. Bryan Revilla is eyeing a government subsidy program that would give senior citizens access to affordable maintenance medicines, vitamins, and milk products.
(Unsplash)
(Unsplash)


AGIMAT Party-list Rep. Bryan Revilla is eyeing a government subsidy program that would give senior citizens access to affordable maintenance medicines, vitamins, and milk products.
For this purpose, Revilla filed House Bill (HB) No. 281, also known as the “Abot-Kayang Gamot, Bitamina at Gatas Para sa Malusog na Senior Citizen Act".
It seeks to establish a government-subsidized program that will make essential health products more affordable for senior citizens through participating pharmacies, grocery outlets, and health centers nationwide.
It also granting key tax exemptions to these establishments in order to further lower costs.
“Health is a basic right that does not end with age. Through this measure, we are giving our senior citizens the care and respect they deserve. They cared for us—now it’s our turn to take care of them,” Revilla said in a statement Saturday, Aug. 9.
“Marami sa ating mga nakatatanda ang nagtitiis dahil sa kakulangan sa gamot, bitamina, o gatas. Layunin ng panukalang ito na itama ang ganitong kalagayan (Many of our elderly endure hardship due to a lack of medicine, vitamins, or milk. The aim of this proposed measure is to correct this situation)," he said.
"We want our senior citizens to enjoy their golden years in good health, without being burdened by high costs,” added the solon from Cavite.
A major feature of the proposed law is the exemption of covered medicines, vitamins, and milk products from the Expanded Value Added Tax (EVAT)—a provision expected to significantly reduce retail prices for qualified senior citizen beneficiaries.
“This is about dignity and compassion. Hindi dapat maging pribilehiyo ang kalusugan para sa mga lolo at lola natin—dapat ito’y karapatan. By removing the EVAT and providing direct government subsidies, we ensure that no senior citizen has to choose between food and medicine,” Revilla noted.
The bill also mandates the creation of a Senior Citizens Health and Nutrition Fund, to be administered by the Department of Health (DOH) in coordination with local government units (LGUs). The fund will finance the procurement and distribution of essential health items and will be sourced from the national budget, PhilHealth allocations, and other public healthcare funds.
Covered items will include maintenance drugs for common illnesses among the elderly—such as diabetes, hypertension, arthritis, and cardiovascular conditions—along with vitamins and fortified milk products.
The proposed program is designed to complement Republic Act (RA) No. 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, by providing targeted and sustainable support for preventive health and nutrition.
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