Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BILL No. __ 4948

Introduced by Hon. John Marvin “Yul Servo” C. Nieto

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The proposed measure aims to redefine the term “indigent senior citizen”
under Republic Act No. 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010. RA 9994
provides for a vast number of benefits, privileges, and assistance to senior citizens.
Despite being a landmark legislation for the welfare of our elderly, the definition of
the term “indigent senior citizen” under RA 9994 has limited the said legislation from
fully achieving its purpose.

An “indigent senior citizen” is defined under RA 9994 as any elderly who is
frail, sickly or with disability, and without pension or permanent source of income,
compensation or financial assistance from his/ her relatives to support his/ her basic
needs, as determined by the Department of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD) in consultation with the National Coordinating and Monitoring Board. It is
quite clear that the aforementioned definition excludes senior citizens who are not
sick or disabled and who have pension or other sources of income but are in dire
need of additional government assistance.

It is high time that we introduce a more inclusive definition under RA 9994 to ensure
our beloved senior citizens that they have ready access to financial assistance and
health services. As a manifestation of support to this timely piece of legislation, this
representation respectfully refiles this bill, which has constantly been receiving
support from the past congress.

JOHN ‘IN iL SERVO” NIETO


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No.__ 4948
a
Introduced by Representative John Marvin “Yul Servo” Nieto
Oe

AN ACT
REDEFINING THE TERM “INDIGENT SENIOR CITIZEN" UNDER REPUBLIC
ACT NO. 7492, AS AMENDED BY REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9994, 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 2, sub-paragraph h of Republic Act No. 7432, as
amended by Republic Act No. 9994, otherwise known as the “Expanded Senior
Citizens Act of 2010”, is hereby further amended to read as follows:

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

"XXX

"(h) Indigent senior citizen refers to any elderly who is [frail, sickly or with
disability, and] without pension, [or] permanent source of income, OR
compensation [or financial assistance from his/her relatives] to support
[his/her] THE SENIOR CITIZEN'S basic needs, as determined by the
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in consultation with
the National Coordinating and Monitoring Board.”

SEC. 2. All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations, or parts
thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended or
modified accordingly.

SEC. 3. 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,