In filing proposed House Bill (HB) No. 10362 or the draft Senior Citizens Day Care Center Act of 2024, United Senior Citizens Party-list Representative Milagros Aquino-Magsaysay said the daycare centers would offer educational, health, and socio-cultural programs and services for senior citizens.

"Events like demise of a spouse, retirement from work and onset of related illnesses may put older persons through brief periods of distress. External support or help may be needed by some to bring relief and expedite adjustment," she said.

"Alongside the rapid growth of the older population, are the increasing cases of abandonment and homelessness, as well as rise in their special needs such as health care, housing, income security, and other social services," the lawmaker added.

Under the proposed bill, the elderly day care centers would provide activities for socialization including arts and crafts, games, dancing, light exercise, and discussion groups and outings.

It also included a provision of health services including medical monitoring and checkups, as well as occupational, speech, and physical therapy; and special services, including early screening or testing for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

Magsaysay said the funding for the daycare centers could be sourced from the allocation of the respective local government units (LGUs). They may also accept donations.

The senior day care centers, the lawmaker said, would be more than a facility or venue but a "means of ensuring elderly programs and services can be accessed and be made available to senior citizens, their families, and caregivers."

While the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has been providing housing facilities for senior citizens, Magsaysay said these were "simply insufficient and inadequate to address the needs of numerous aging Filipinos whether or not separated from their families."

There are about 9.22 million senior citizens in the Philippines, according to 2020 data from the Philippine Statistics Authority.