Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO.__1448

Introduced by Representative Kristine Singson-Meehan

Since time immemorial, organized communities have always sought their
respective council of elders for guidance through their wisdom and experience

However, in todays scenario, the influence of the elderly has started to diminish,
to the point that their representation in government has become insignificant.

Statistics have shown that in 2007 that 6.5% of the entire population is comprised
of citizens whose age are from 60 years old and above. It is projected that by the
year 2030, the senior citizens would comprise 10% of the total population.

Despite the significant figure, the senior citizens have not been properly
represented in government, starting from the Barangay government. This should
be contrasted with the youth sector which has representation in government,
starting from the Barangay, through the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK). This, even
though under Republic Act No. 9164, SK membership has been limited to those
with ages 15 to not more than 18 years. It is needless to state that such is a very
minute segment of the population. A positive action is needed for the senior
citizens and the elderly to have a voice in government.

Under this measure, the Local Government Code of 1991 shall be amended and
a Sangguniang Senior Citizens and a Katipunan ng mga Senior Citizens shall be
created. The Senior Citizens Sanggunian shall be elected, starting from the
Barangay level, similar to the SK. The Chairman of the Senior Citizens
Sanggunian shall also become an ex officio member of the Barangay Council.

The Senior Citizens Sanggunian shall likewise have Municipal, City and
Provincial Federations. They shall have representation in the Sangguniang
Pambayan, Panglungsod and Panglalawigan

With this measure, not only are the senior citizens and the elderly going to be
properly represented in government and continue to perform an active role in


nation building. More important, we as a people would benefit from their wisdom
and values, which they have learned through the years.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill, previously field as
House Bill No. 2450 in the Seventeenth Congress, is earnestly sought.

asin

|GSON-MEEHAN


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. i448

Introduced by Representative Kristine Singson-Mechan

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE REPRESENTATIONOF SENIOR
CITIZENS IN ALL LEVELS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT, CREATING
THE SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS AND THE KATIPUNAN NG
SENIOR CITIZENS, PROVIDING FOR THEIR POWERS AND
FUNCTIONS, AMENDING SECTIONS 423, 424, 425, 426, 427, 428, 429,
430, 431, 432, 433, 434, 435, 436, 437 AND 438 OF REPUBLIC ACT 7160,
AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LOCAL
GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

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

SECTION L. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the “Sangguniang Senior
Citizens Act of 2019”.

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — hereby declared the policy of the State
to allow the senior citizens and the elderly to be properly represented in
government and continue to perform an active role in nation building.

SECTION 3, Amendment of Section 423 of the Local Government Code. —
Section 423 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local
Government Code of 1991, is hereby further amended to read as follows:

"CHAPTER VIII
Sangguniang Kabataan AND SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS


SEC. 423 Creation and Election. — (a) There shall be in every
barangay a sangguniang kabataan AND SANGGUNIANG SENIOR
CITIZENS to be composed of a chairman, [seven (7)] FOUR (4)
members, a secretary, and a treasurer.

(b) A sangguniang kabataan official who, during his 10 term of
office, shall have passed the age of twenty-one (21) years shall be
allowed to serve the remaining portion of the 12 term for which he
was elected.”

SECTION 4. Amendment of Section 424 of the Local Government Code.
— Section 424 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local
Government Code of 1991, is hereby further amended to read as follows:

“SEC. 424. Katipunan ng Kabataan AND KATIPUNAN NG
SENIOR CITIZENS. — The katipunan ng kabataan AND
KATIPUNAN NG SENIOR CITIZENS shall be composed of
Filipino citizens actually residing in the barangay for at least six (6)
months, IN THE CASE OF THE KATIPUNAN NG
KABATAAN, who are fifteen (15) but less than eighteen (18) 23
years of age on the day of the election, AND IN THE CASE OF
KATIPUNAN NG SENIOR CITIZENS, WHO ARE SIXTY (60)
YEAR OF AGE OR MORE and who are duly registered in the list
of the sangguniang kabataan AND SANGGUNIANG SENIOR
CITIZENS or in the official barangay list in the custody of the
barangay secretary.”

SECTION 5. Amendment of Section 425 of the Local Government Code.
— Section 425 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local
Government Code of 1991, is hereby further amended to read as follows:

“SEC. 425. Meetings of the Katipunan ng Kabataan AND
THE KATIPUNAN NG SENIOR CITIZENS. — The katipunan ng
kabataan AND SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS shall meet
at least once every three (3) months, or at the call of the chairman of
the sangguniang kabataan AND SANGGUNIANG SENIOR
CITIZENS or upon written petition of at least one-twentieth (1/20)
of its members, to decide on important issues affecting the youth
AND THE SENIOR CITIZENS, RESPECTIVELY, of the
barangay.”


SECTION 6. Amendment of Section 426 of the Local Government Code.
— Section 426 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local
Government Code of 1991, is hereby further amended to read as follows

“SEC. 426. Powers and _ Functions of _ the Sangguniang
Kabataan AND SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS. — _ The
— sangguniang kabataan AND SANGGUNIANG SENIOR
CITIZENS shall:

(a) Promulgate resolutions necessary to carry out the objectives
of the youth AND THE SENIOR CITIZENS, RESPECTIVELY,
in the barangay in accordance with the applicable provisions of this
Code;

(b) Initiate programs designed to enhance the social, political,
economic, cultural, intellectual, moral, spiritual, and physical
development of the members;

(c)Hold fund-raising activities, the proceeds of which shall be tax-
exempt and shall accrue to the general fund of the sangguniang
kabataan AND SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS: Provided,
however, That in the appropriation thereof, the specific purpose for
which such activity has been held shall be first satisfied;

(d) Create such bodies or committees as it may deem necessary
to effectively carry out its programs and activities;

(e)Submit annual and end-of-term reports to the sangguniang
barangay on their projects and activities for the survival and
development of the youth AND THE SENIOR CITIZENS in the
barangay;

(f) Consult and coordinate with all youth AND SENIOR
CITIZENS organizations in the barangay for policy formulation and
program implementation;

(g) Coordinate with the appropriate national agency for the
implementation of youth AND SENIOR CITIZENS development
projects and programs at the national level;

(h) Exercise such other powers and perform such other duties and
functions as the sangguniang barangay may determine or delegate or
as may be prescribed by law or ordinance.”


SECTION 7. Amendment of Section 427 of the Local Government Code.
— Section 427 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local
Government Code of 1991, is hereby further amended to read as follows:

“SEC. 427. Meetings of the Sangguniang Kabataan AND
SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS. — The  sangguniang
kabataan AND SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS shall meet
regularly once a month on the date, time, and place to be fixed by the
said RESPECTIVE sanggunian. Special meetings may be called by
the sangguniang kabataan AND SANGGUNIANG SENIOR
CITIZENS chairman or any TWO (2) [three (3)] of its members by
giving written notice to all members of the date, time, place and
agenda of the meeting at least one (1) day in advance. Notices of
regular or special meetings shall be furnished the punong barangay
and the sangguniang barangay

A majority of the members of the sangguniang kabataan AND
SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS shall constitute a quorum.”

SECTION 8. Amendment of Section 428 of the Local Government Code.
Section 428 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local
Government Code of 1991, is hereby further amended to read as follows

“SEC. 428. Qualifications. — An elective official of the
sangguniang kabataan AND SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS
must be a Filipino citizen, a qualified voter of the katipunan ng kabataan
AND SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS, a resident of the
barangay for at least one (1) year immediately prior to election, at least
fifteen (15) years but less than eighteen (18) years of age on the day of
the election FOR THE SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN AND SIXTY
(60) YEARS OF AGE OR MORE FOR SANGGUNIANG SENIOR
CITIZENS, able to read and write Filipino, English, or the local dialect,
and must not have been convicted of any crime involving moral
turpitude.”

SECTION 9. Amendment of Section 429 of the Local Government Code.
— Section 429 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local
Government Code of 1991, is hereby further amended to read as follows:

“SEC. 429. Term of Office. — The sangguniang kabataan AND
SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS chairman and members shall
hold office for a period of three (3) years, unless sooner removed for


cause as provided by law, permanently incapacitated, die or resign
from office.”

SECTION 10. Amendment of Section 430 of the Local Government Code.
— Section 430 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local
Government Code of 1991, is hereby further amended to read as follows:

“SEC. 430. Sangguniang Kabataan AND SANGGUNIANG
SENIOR CITIZENS Chairman. — The registered voters of the
katipunan ng kabataan AND KATIPUNAN NG SENIOR
CITIZENS shall elect the chairman of the sangguniang kabataan
AND SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS who shall BOTH
automatically serve as [an] ex officio memberS of the sangguniang
barangay upon [his] THEIR assumption to office. As such, [he]
THEY shall exercise the same powers, discharge the same duties and
functions, and enjoy the same privileges as the regular sangguniang
barangay members, and shall be the chairman of the committee on
youth and sports development AND COMMITTEE ON SENIOR’
CITIZES' AFFAIRS, RESPECTIVELY, in the said sanggunian.”

SECTION 11. Amendment of Section 431 of the Local Government
Code. — Section 431 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local
Government Code of 1991, is hereby further amended to read as follows

“SEC. 431. Powers and Duties of the Sangguniang Kabataan
AND SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS Chairman. — In
addition to the duties which may be assigned to [him] THEM by the
sangguniang barangay, the sangguniang kabataan AND
SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS [chairman] CHAIRMEN
shall:

(a) Call and preside over all meetings of the
RESPECTIVE
katipunan ng kabataan AND KATIPUNAN NG SENIOR
CITIZENS and the sangguniang = kabataan AND
SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS;

(b) Implement policies, programs, and projects within
his jurisdiction in coordination with the sangguniang
barangay;

(c) Exercise general supervision over the affairs and
activities of the sangguniang —kabataan. ~AND


SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS and the official
conduct of its members, and such other officers of the
sangguniang kabataan AND SANGGUNIANG SENIOR
CITIZENS within [his] THEIR jurisdiction;

(d) With the concurrence of the sangguniang kabataan
AND SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS, appoint
from among the members of the sangguniang kabataan AND
SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS, the secretary and
treasurer and such other officers as may be deemed
necessary; and

(©) Exercise such other powers and perform such
other duties and functions as may be prescribed by law or
ordinance.

SECTION 12. Amendment of Section 432 of the Local Government
Code. — Section 432 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local
Government Code of 1991, is hereby further amended to read as follows:

“SEC. 432. Sangguniang Kabataan AND SANGGUNIANG
SENIOR CITIZENS Secretary. — The RESPECTIVE
sangguniang kabataan AND SANGGUNIANG SENIOR
CITIZENS secretary shall:

(a) Keep all records of the katipunan ng kabataan
AND SANGGUNIANG SENIOR- CITIZENS and
sangguniang kabataan AND SANGGUNIANG SENIOR
CITIZENS;

(b) Prepare and keep the minutes of all meetings of
the katipunan ng kabataan AND SANGGUNIANG
SENIOR CITIZENS and sangguniang kabataan AND
SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS;

(c) Prepare all forms necessary for the conduct of
registrations, elections, initiatives, referenda, or plebiscites,
in coordination with the barangay secretary and the
COMELEC; and

(d) Perform such other duties and discharge such
other functions as the chairman of the sangguniang kabataan
AND SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS may
prescribe or direct


SECTION 13. Amendment of Section 433 of the Local Government
Code. — Section 433 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local
Government Code of 1991, is hereby further amended to read as follows:

“SEC. 433. Sangguniang Kabataan AND SANGGUNIANG

SENIOR CITIZENS Treasurer. — The RESPECTIVE
sangguniang kabataan AND SANGGUNIANG SENIOR
CITIZENS treasurer shall:

(a) Take custody of all sangguniang kabataan AND
SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS property and funds
not otherwise deposited with the city or municipal treasurer;

(b) Collect and receive contributions, monies,
materials, and all other resources intended for the sangguniang
kabataan AND SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS and
the katipunan ng kabataan AND KATIPUNAN NG SENIOR
CITIZENS;

(c) __Disburse funds in accordance with an approved
budget of the sangguniang kabataan AND SANGGUNIANG
SENIOR CITIZENS;

(d) Certify to the availability of funds whenever
necessary;
(e) Submit to the sangguniang kabataan AND

SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS and to the
sangguniang barangay certified and detailed statements of actual
income and expenditures at the end of every month;

(f) Perform such other duties and discharge such other
functions as the chairman of the sangguniang kabataan AND
SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS may direct.”

SECTION 14. Amendment of Section 434 of the Local Government
Code. — Section 434 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local
Government Code of 1991, is hereby further amended to read as follows:

“SEC. 434. Privileges of Sangguniang Kabataan AND
SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS Officials. — The
RESPECTIVE sangguniang kabataan AND SANGGUNIANG
SENIOR CITIZENS chairman shall have the same privileges


enjoyed by other sangguniang barangay officials under this Code
subject to such requirements and limitations provided herein.
During their incumbency, sangguniang kabataan AND
SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS officials shall be
exempt from payment of tuition and matriculation fees while
enrolled in public tertiary schools, including state colleges and
universities. The National Government shall reimburse said
college or university the amount of the tuition and matriculation
fees: Provided, That, to qualify for the privilege, the said officials
shall enroll in a state college or university within or nearest their
area of jurisdiction.”

SECTION 15. Amendment of Section 435 of the Local Government
Code. — Section 435 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local
Government Code of 1991, is hereby amended to read as follows:

“SEC. 435. Succession and Filling of Vacancies. —

(a) In case a sangguniang kabataan OR SANGGUNIANG
SENIOR CITIZENS chairman refuses to assume office, fails to
qualify, is convicted of a felony, voluntarily resigns, dies, is
permanently incapacitated, is removed from office, or has been absent
without leave for more than three (3) consecutive months, the
sangguniang kabataan OR SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS
member who obtained the next highest number of votes in the election
immediately preceding shall assume the office of the chairman for the
unexpired portion of the term, and shall discharge the powers and
duties, and enjoy the rights and privileges appurtenant to the office.
In case the said member refuses to assume the position or fails to
qualify, the sangguniang kabataan OR SANGGUNIANG SENIOR
CITIZENS member obtaining the next highest number of votes shall
assume the position of the chairman for the unexpired portion of the
term

(b) Where two (2) or more sangguniang kabataan OR
SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS members obtained the
same next highest number of votes, the other sangguniang kabataan
OR SANGGUNIANG SENIOR’ CITIZENS members shall
conduct an election to choose the successor to the chairman from
among the said members.

() After the vacancy shall have been filled, the sangguniang
kabataan OR SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS chairman


shall call a special election to complete the membership of said
sanggunian, Such sangguniang kabataan OR SANGGUNIANG
SENIOR CITIZENS member shall hold office for the unexpired
portion of the term of the vacant seat.

(d) Incase of suspension of the sangguniang kabataan OR
SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS chairman, the successor, as
determined in subsections (a) and (b) of this section shall assume the
position during the period of such suspension.

SECTION 16. Amendment of Section 436 of the Local Government
Code, — Section 436 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local
Government Code of 1991, is hereby amended to read as follows:

“CHAPTER IX

Pederasyon ng mga Sangguniang Kabataan AND
SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS

SECTION 436. Pederasyon ng mga Sangguniang Kabataan
AND SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS. — (a) There shall be
an organization of all the pederasyon ng mga sangguniang kabataan
AND SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS to be known as
follows:

(1) In municipalities, pambayang pederasyon ng mga
sangguniang kabataan AND PAMBAYANG PEDERASYON
NG MGA SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS;

(2) _ Incities, panlungsod na pederasyon ng mga sangguniang
kabataan AND PANGLUNGSOD NA PEDERASYON NG
MGA SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS;

(3) In provinces, panlalawigang pederasyon ng mga
sangguniang kabataan AND PANLALAWIGANG
PEDERASYON NG MGA SANGGUNIANG SENIOR
CITIZENS;

(4) In special metropolitan political subdivisions,
pangmetropolitang pederasyon ng mga sangguniang kabataan
AND PANGMETROPOLITANG PEDERASYON NG
MGA SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS; and


(5) On the national level, pambansang pederasyon ng mga

sangguniang  kabataan AND  PAMBANSANG
PEDERASYON NG MGA SANGGUNIANG SENIOR
CITIZENS.

(b) Ang pederasyon ng mga sangguniang kabataan AND
PEDERASYON NG MGA SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS
shall, at all levels, elect from among themselves the president, vice-
president and such other officers as may be necessary and shall be
organized in the following manner:

(1) The panlungsod and pambayang pederasyon shall be
composed of the  sangguniang kabataan AND
SANGGUNIANG SENIOR’ CITIZENS chairmen of
barangays in the city or municipality, respectively;

(2) The panlalawigang pederasyon shall be composed of
presidents of the panlungsod and pambayang pederasyon;

(3) The pangmetropolitang pederasyon shall be composed
of presidents of the panlungsod and pambayang pederasyon;

(c)The elected presidents of the pederasyon at the provincial, highly
urbanized city, and metropolitan political subdivision levels shall
constitute the pambansang katipunan ng mga sangguniang kabataan
AND PAMBANSANG KATIPUNAN NG MGA _ SENIOR
CITIZENS.”

SECTION 17. Amendment of Section 437 of the Local Government Code.
— Section 437 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local
Government Code of 1991, is hereby further amended to read as follows:

“SEC. 437. Constitution and By-Laws. — ‘The term of office,
manner of election, removal and suspension of the officers of the
pederasyon ng mga sangguniang kabataan AND PEDERASYON
NG MGA SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS at all levels shall
be governed by the constitution and by-laws of the pederasyon in
conformity with the provisions of this Code and national policies on
youth AND SENIOR CITIZENS.”

SECTION 18, Amendment of Section 438 of the Local Government
Code. — Section 438 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local
Government Code of 1991, is hereby further amended to read as follows:


“SEC. 438. Membership in the Sanggunian. — (a) A
sangguniang kabataan AND SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS
chairman shall, upon certification of his election by the COMELEC
and during his tenure of office is elected as pederasyon president, serve
as an ex officio member of the sangguniang panlalawigan,
sangguniang panlungsod, and sangguniang bayan, as the case may be,
without need of further appointment.

(b) The vice-president of the pederasyon whose
president has been elected as president of a higher pederasyon shall
serve as ex officio member of the sanggunian concerned without need
of further appointment.

(c) The pederasyon president or vice-president, as
the case may be, OF THE SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN shall be
the chairman of the committee on youth and sports development,
WHILE THAT OF THE SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS.
SHALL BE THE CHAIRMAN OF SENIOR CITIZENS
AFFAIRS of the sanggunian concerned.”

SECTION 19. Separability Clause. - any provision of this Act, or any
parts thereof, is declared unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity
and effectivity of the other portions.

SECTION 20. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, presidential
decrees, proclamations, rules, regulations, issuances and enactments of parts
thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 21. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
from its complete publication in the Official Gazette of in a newspaper of general
circulation in the Philippines, whichever comes earlier.

APPROVED.