Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
5152

HOUSE BILL No. __

Introduced by
BAYAN MUNA Representatives CARLOS ISAGANI T. ZARATE,
FERDINAND R. GAITE and EUFEMIA C. CULLAMAT

AN ACT
GRANTING ADDITIONAL BENEFITS AND PRIVILEGES TO SENIOR
CITIZENS, FURTHER AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7432, AS AMENDED,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “AN ACT TO MAXIMIZE THE CONTRIBUTION OF
SENIOR CITIZENS TO NATION BUILDING, GRANT BENEFITS AND SPECIAL
PRIVILEGES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Republic Act No. 7432, as amended by Republic Act No. 9257 and Republic Act No. 9994,
otherwise known as “Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2003” and “Expanded Senior Citizens
‘Act of 2010” respectively, was enacted in fulfilment of the constitutional right of people to an
integrated and comprehensive health development.

In line with this right is the obligation of the government to make essential goods, health and
other social services available to the people at affordable cost with due priority to the
underprivileged, sick, elderly, disabled, women, and children as stated in Article XIII, Section 11
of the 1987 Constitution.

Under the existing laws, food and medicines are already covered by the provision granting 20%
discount and an exemption from the value-added tax (VAT) for senior citizens. In line with the
spirit of this law, this bill seeks to further amend Republic Act No. 7432, as amended by
Republic Act No. 9994, relating to the coverage of the 20% discount and exemption from the
value-added tax (VAT) by including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved
utritional food and drinks in the said provision.

This proposed measure aims to help the elderly, most especially the underprivileged ones, gain
access to FDA-approved nutritional food and drinks. These products are usually costly thus
accessible only to a few.

‘These products have high potential for improving the health of our elderlies by boosting their
nutrition and aiding their digestion which are common concerns among the elderlies.

‘These nutritional food and drinks are also resorted to by older people to ease symptoms related
to illnesses like diabetes and hypertension. This kind of opportunity for health development


wwrid zBVEUne

10
M1
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31

should be made accessible to every senior citizen.
This bill will update and enhance the original Act by expanding its scope while putting in mind
the new options brought to us by new technological innovations towards improving the total
well-being of the elderly.

This bill was first introduced in the 16" Congress by Bayan Muna Partylist Representative Carlos
Isagani Zarate and refiled in the 17 Congress.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

Approved,
top Sto A A ae
Bayan Muna Party-List
Rep: -RDINAND R. GAITE Rep. state Cc. CULLAMAT
Bayan Muna Party-list Bayan Muna Party-list


Sewr swevne

1
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24

26
27
28
29
30
31
32

33
34

35

36
37
38
39
40
41
2
43

44

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

5152
HOUSE BILL No. __

Introduced by
BAYAN MUNA Representatives CARLOS ISAGANI T. ZARATE,
FERDINAND R. GAITE and EUFEMIA C. CULLAMAT

AN ACT
GRANTING ADDITIONAL BENEFITS AND PRIVILEGES TO SENIOR
CITIZENS, FURTHER AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7432, AS AMENDED,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “AN ACT TO MAXIMIZE THE CONTRIBUTION OF
SENIOR CITIZENS TO NATION BUILDING, GRANT BENEFITS AND SPECIAL
PRIVILEGES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”

Be it enacted ly the Senate and Honse of Representatives of the Republic ofthe Philipines in Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Title— This Act shall be known as the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2019.

SECTION 2. - Section 2 of Republic Act No. 7432, as amended by Republic Act 9994,
otherwise known as the “Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010,” is hereby further amended
with subsection () to be added to read as follows:

SEC. 2. Definition of terms. - For pusposes of this Act, these terms are defined as follows:

"(a) Senior citizen or elderly refers to any resident citizen of the Philippines at least
sixty (60) years old;

Xxx

OR BEVERAGE PRODUCT APPROVED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG
ADMINISTRATION WHICH CONTAINS MICRONUTRIENTS AND
WERE FORMULATED TO MEET THE DIET OF SENIOR
CITIZENS AND INDIVIDUALS WHO SUFFER _FROM_POOR

DI RE) Rt
AN, ILLNESSES LIKE DIABETES, HYPERTENSION, CANCER
AND OTHER SIMILAR CASES.


1
A
a

12
13
14

15

16
17
18

19

20
21
22

23
24

25
26
27
28
29
30

SECTION 3. - Section 4 of Republic Act No. 7432, as amended by Republic Act No. 9994,
otherwise known as “Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010”, is hereby further amended with
new subsection (a) (10) to be added to read as follows

"SEC. 4. Privileges for the Senior Citizens.-
‘The senior citizens shall be entitled to the following:
"@ the grant of twenty percent (20%) discount and exemption from the value -added tax

(VAT), if applicable, on the sale of the following goods and services from all
establishments, for the exclusive use and enjoyment or availment of the senior citizen

"(1) on the purchase of medicines, including the purchase of influenza and
pnuemococeal vaccines, and such other essential medical supplies, accessories
and equipment to be determined by the Department of Health (DOH).

"The DOH shall establish guidelines and mechanism of compulsory rebates in
the sharing of burden of discounts among retailers, manufacturers and
distributors, taking into consideration their respective margins;

xxx
(10) ON THE PURCHASE OF FOOD AND DRUG

ADMINISTRATION (FDA) - APPROVED NUTRITIONAL FOOD AND

DRINKS;

xxx

SECTION 4. Separability clause — If any section or provision of this Act shall be declared
unconstitutional or invalid, the provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall continue
to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 5. Repealing Clause — Laws, rules and regulations, and other issuances inconsistent
with the provision of this Act are deemed modified, revoked or repealed accordingly.

SECTION 6. Effectivity - This law shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,