Republic of the Philippines S
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES t K
Quezon City = RECEIVED

2 3 JAN 20)

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS {
First Regular Session Tue

House BiLLNo, 8734

Introduced by REP. ANTHONY G. DEL ROSARIO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to increase the monthly stipend of indigent senior citizens from
Five Hundred Pesos (P500.00) to One Thousand Pesos and to lower the age of
coverage from seventy seven ( 77) years old and above to seventy (70) years old and
above.

The 1987 Constitution provides under Sec. 9 of the Declaration of Principles and
State Policies that, “The State shall promote a just and dynamic social order that will
ensure the prosperity and independence of the nation and free the people from poverty
through policies that provide adequate social services, promote full employment, a
rising standard of living, and an improved quality of life for all.” It also provides under
Sec. 10 of Article II that, “The State shall promote social justice in all phases of national
development.”

The same Constitution provides under Article XIII, Section 11 that, “The State
shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development which
shall endeavour to make essential goods, health and other social services available to
all the people at affordable cost. There shall be priority for the needs of the
underprivileged sick, elderly, disabled, women, and children. The State shall endeavour
to provide free medical care to paupers.”

It further provides under Section 4, Article XV that, “The family has the duty to
care for its elderly members but the State may also do so through just programs of
social security.”

These principles which are enshrined in our Constitution do not only serve to
protect the less privileged and the most vulnerable sectors in our society such as the
elderly but also affirm their important role in the community as partners in nation-
building,

Republic Act No. 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 provides for
a review every two (2) years by Congress, in consultation with the Department of Social
Welfare and Development (DSWD), relative to the social pension for indigent Filipino
senior citizens. It cannot be denied that over the years the prices of commodities have
increased. By increasing their purchasing power, this bill hopes to alleviate the
situations of our indigent elderly.

The age requirement, 77 years old and above, is somewhat unreasonable
considering today's average lifespan. Hence, it is proposed that the coverage be
lowered so that our elderly will be able to avail of the benefits longer into their twilight
years.

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Therefore the time is ripe to re-visit the provisions embodied in the existing law
and uphold the time-honored principle that those who have less in life should have more
in law.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is highly and earnestly sought.

TAA :

ITHONY G. DEL ROSARIO



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
‘Quezon City

‘SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO.3'73.4

Introduced by REP. ANTHONY G. DEL ROSARIO

AN ACT
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7432, AS AMENDED,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “ EXPANDED SENIOR CITIZENS ACT OF 2010”

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Section 5, paragraph h, sub-paragraph 1 of Republic Act No. 7432,
as amended, is hereby further amended to read as follows:

“SEC.5. Government Assistance. - The government shall provide the following:
“(a) XXX XXX XXX

“(h) Additional Government Assistance

“(1) Social Pension

“Indigent senior citizens shall be entitled to a monthly stipend amounting to [ Five
hundred pesos (Php500.00)] ONE THOUSAND PESOS (Php1,000.00) to
augment the daily subsistence and other medical needs of senior citizens,
subject to a review every two (2) years by Congress, in consultation with the
DSWD. PROVIDED, THAT THE MONTHLY STIPEND FOR INDIGENT SENIOR
CITIZENS SHALL COVER THOSE WHO ARE SEVENTY (70) YEARS OLD
AND ABOVE.

1x x XXX.

SEC. 2. Repealing Clause. - Alll laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations and other issuances or any parts thereof inconsistent with this ACT are
hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly.

SEC. 3. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved,