Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

131

HOUSE BILL Nt

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE MILAGROS AQUINO — MAGSAYSAY

AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING A 5% BUDGET ALLOCATION FOR SENIOR
CITIZENS FROM THE INTERNAL REVENUE ALLOTMENT (IRA) OF LOCAL.
GOVERNMENT UNITS, AND AT LEAST 1% GOVERNMENT AGENCY BUDGET
OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS, AGENCIES, BUREAUS, OFFICES,
COMMISSIONS, STATE UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES”

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘This bill seeks to institutionalize the budget allocation for senior citizens programs,
projects, activities and services, by specifically providing for a fixed percentage of 5% of the
Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) of local government units (LGUs) and at least 1% annual
agency budget of all government agencies, executive departments, bureaus, offices,
commissions, state universities, colleges, and the like.

Numerous laws, policies and programs for the benefit and welfare of senior citizens
have been introduced, but are not being properly implemented due to a lack of resources or
specific budget allocation. While there are sufficient legal bases for senior citizens programs
and services, enforcement and implementation is always difficult due to budgetary constraints.

On the other hand, there have been previous directives on the specific budgetary
allotment for senior citizens which were not institutionalized. and thus, these became
discretionary and purely voluntary instead of mandatory.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Department of
Budget and Management (DBM) issued Joint Circular No. 2003-01 on April 28, 2003,
following Section 29 of the General Appropriations Act (GAA) of 2003 specifically directing
all agencies to set aside at least one (1%) of their agency budget for programs, projects,
activities and services for senior citizens and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). Almost a
decade later, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) issued Memorandum
Circular No. 2014-59 on May 9, 2014, reiterating and institutionalizing the 1% budget
allocation for senior citizens and PWDs, and directing local executive officials of LGUs to
strictly implement this in accordance with the GAA, the DBM-DSWD JMC 2003-01, and RA
7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991.



This bill seeks to finally formalize and institutionalize the annual budget allotment for
senior citizens. The bill also mandates a specific percentage of budgetary allocation to be used
for relevant senior citizens programs, projects, services, and relevant activities.

In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly recommended.

HOA, MILAGROS At IAQSAYSAY


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Mai

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 191

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE MILAGROS AQUINO - MAGSAYSAY

AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING A 5% BUDGET ALLOCATION FOR SENIOR
CITIZENS FROM THE INTERNAL REVENUE ALLOTMENT (IRA) OF LOCAL
GOVERNMENT UNITS, AND AT LEAST 1% GOVERNMENT AGENCY BUDGET
OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS, AGENCIES, BUREAUS, OFFICES,
COMMISSIONS, STATE UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES”

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

SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the “In:
Citizens Programs and Services Act”.

tutionalized 5% Budget Allocation for

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy ~The 1987 Constitution, Article Il, Section IX, mandates:
“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.” In addition, Article Il, Section X declares: “The State shall
promote social justice in all phases of national development.” Moreover, Article XIII, Section
XI commits: “The State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health
development which shall endeavor 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. More importantly, Article Section
IV provides: “The family has the duty to care for its elderly members, but the State may also
do so through just programs of social security.”

Consistent with the above-mentioned Constitutional mandates, the foregoing policies and
principles shall form part of the declared policies of this Act:

a) To extend support to our senior citizens by providing monetary resources of the
government to aid them towards a sustainable and decent living;

b) To strengthen our shared duty in the promotion of basic Filipino values of caring for
elderly people;


©) To further cultivate filial piety as a basic component of kinship and camaraderie
between and amongst our people: and

4) ‘To ensure access to and availability of government programs and services for senior
citizens and PWDs.

In consonance with the foregoing poli

s, this Act aims to:

a) Formulate programs and systems that will ensure propriety and uniformity in its
implementation, through a comprehensive and inclusive approach to senior citizens;

b) Configure existing processes and procedures that will help provide orderly conduct
of activities between and among senior citizens and their availment thereof,

©) Establish norms and customs that will contribute to the development of a just and
humane society that recognizes and gives value to the contributions and sacrifices
of our senior citizens in and for our communities; and

d) Maximize the availment of and actual enjoyment of scnior citizens and PWDs of
government programs and services intended to support and assist them.

Is, therefore, in the best interest of the State to continue ensuring the rights and welfare of its
senior citizens and PWDs by providing adequate fund sources for responsive programs and
services to address their needs.

SECTION 3. Annual Budget Allocation — Consistent with the 2018 Mandamus ruling issued
by the Supreme Court that LGUs are now entitled to a greater share in the national tax revenues
collected, it is hereby provided that LGUs shall allocate five percent (5%) of their Internal
Revenue Allotment (IRA) for senior citizens-related programs. projects, activities, and
services.

On the other hand, all government agencies, executive departments, bureaus, offices,
commissions, state universities and colleges, shall likewise allot at least one percent (1%) of
their agency budgets as previously prescribed under the joint Department of Social Welfare
and Development (DSWD) and Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Circular No.
2003-01 issued on April 28, 2003, following Section 29 of the General Appropriations Act of
2003 specifically directing all agencies to set aside at least one (1%) of their agency budget for
programs, projects, activities and services for senior citizens and Persons with Disabilities
(PWDs).

SECTION 4. Application and Utilization of said Budget Allotment - The increased and
fixed percentage of budgetary allocation for senior citizens shall support the programs,
projects, services and activities mandated by law to address the needs of senior citizens, such
as, but not limited to the following:

a) Republic Act (RA) No. 9994, otherwise known as the Expanded Senior Cit
2010, further amending RA 7432 and RA 9257;

b) Republic Act No. 7876, otherwise known as the “Senior Citizens Center Act”;


c) Republic Act No. 10868, otherwise known as the “Centenarians Act of 2016";

d) Republic Act No. 9763, authorizing COMELEC to provide Special Polling Places for
Senior citizens and PWDs;

SECTION 5. Compliance and Monitoring — In coordination with the Department of Budget
and Management (DBM) and the requirements of the Commission on Audit (COA), all LGUs
through the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) shall, within 90 days after
the end of every fiscal year, submit to Congress an annual report on their compliance with, or
accomplishments under the proposed Act, and a complete accounting of funds disbursed in
compliance with the Act.

SECTION 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations ~ Within ninety (90) days from the
effectivity of the Act, the respective Secretaries and Chairpersons of the Department of Budget
and Management (DBM). the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). the
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the National Commission for Senior
Citizens, and the Commission on Audit (COA) shall jointly craft and issue the rules and
regulations necessary for the effective implementation of this Act.

SECTION 7. Separability Clause — If any portion or provision of this Act is declared invalid
or unconstitutional, other provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and
effect.

SECTION 8. Repeating Clause — All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules or regulations
contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified
accordingly.

SECTION 9. Effectivity — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication in the
Official Gazette or in newspaper of general circulation.

Approved