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Republic of the Philippines in veep
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 189

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE MILAGROS AQUINO - MAGSAYSAY

AN ACT ESTABLISHING AND INSTITUTIONALIZING
SENIOR CITIZENS’ SECTORAL REPRESENTATION AT THE COMMUNITY
LEVEL, INCLUDING ENABLING MECHANISMS FOR MEANINGFUL ELDERLY
PARTICIPATION
IN NATION-BUILDING

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to establish a senior citizen representation and participation mechanism at
the community level similar to the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) of the Filipino youth, which is to
be called the “Sangguniang Nakatatanda”.

No less than the fundamental law of the land assures true democracy through the genuine
participation and representation of people, especially the marginalized sectors. Section 9, Art. X
of the 1987 Constitution mandates that "legislative bodies of local governments shall have sectoral
representation as may be prescribed by law."

Senior citizens, who comprise a big percentage of most local communities, have not been
expressly reserved a sectoral representation in the sanggunians. Thus, it is high time to ensure the
continued active participation of Filipino elderly in important venues such as local councils where
they can be both “seen and heard” through legitimate representation. It must also be noted that the
participation of civil society organizations have ensured greater accountability in governance and
responsiveness to sectoral concerns. The implementation of local sectoral representation is an
important institutional mechanism for attaining this objective.

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

HON. MILAGROS AQ! YSAY


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

Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 189
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE MILAGROS AQUINO - MAGSAYSAY

AN ACT ESTABLISHING AND INSTITUTIONALIZING
SENIOR CITIZENS SECTORAL REPRESENTATION AT THE COMMUNITY LEVEL,
INCLUDING ENABLING MECHANISMS FOR MEANINGFUL ELDERLY
PARTICIPATION IN NATION-BUILDING

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

SECTION 1. Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Sangguniang Nakatatanda Act of 2025”.

SEC. 2. Declaration of State Policies and Objectives. ~ The State recognizes the vital role of senior
citizens in nation-building and thus, promotes and protects their physical, mental, emotional and
social well-being, reawakening in them a sense of patriotism and nationalism that encourages their
involvement in public and civic affairs.

Towards this end, the State shall establish adequate, effective, responsive and enabling
mechanisms and support systems that will ensure the meaningful participation of senior citizens
in local governance and nation-building.

Consonant with these constitutional principles the following are the declared policies of this Act:

a) to motivate and encourage the senior citizens to contribute to nation-building;

b) to encourage their families and the communities they live with to reaffirm the valued Filipino
tradition of caring and respect for the senior citizens.

In accordance with these policies, this Act aims to:

1) establish mechanisms whereby the contribution of the senior citizens are maximized;


2) adopt measures whereby our senior citizens are assisted and appreciated by the community as a
whole;

3) establish a venue for representation and participation of the senior citizens in the community
that they reside.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. — For purposes of this Act, the following terms are hereby defined:

(a) As used in this Act, the term “senior citizen” shall mean any resident citizen of the
Philippines, sixty (60) years old and above, including those who have retired from both
government service and private enterprises;

(b) Commission shall refer to the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) created
under Republic Act No. 11350;

(c) Elderly shall refer to older persons in general, usually 60 years old of age and above,
and already experiencing the same conditions of advanced age, chronic and
degenerative diseases, physical or mental disabilities, economic or financial limitations;
“Elderly” will be used interchangeably with the term “senior citizens” for purposes of
this Act;

(a) Local Chief Executive shall refer to the provincial governor, city and municipal mayor;

(©) Local Government Operations Officer shall refer to the duly designated head of the office
of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) stationed in the concerned
local government unit;

(f) Local Sanggunian shall refer to the sangguniang panlalawigan, sangguniang panlungsod
and sangguniang bayan;

(g) Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) shall refer to the local office for senior citizens or
elderly sector established in every city or municipality under Republic Act No. 9994;

(h) Senior Citizens shall refer to Filipino citizens who are 60 years old and above as defined
in Republic Act No. 9994, the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010; May be used
interchangeably with “elderly” and “older persons” for purposes of this Act;

(i) Senior Citizens Organization shall refer to those organizations whose membership or
composition consists of and is representative of senior citizens or the elderly sector, duly
registered with proper government agencies as legitimate associations, people’s
organizations, socio-civic or Non-Governmental organization

(i) Provincial Senior Citizens Affairs Officer shall refer to the person duly appointed or
designated by the Commission to serve as its agent in the province with the tasks provided
for in this Act or as the Commission may deem necessary; and

(k) Elderly-Serving Organizations shall refer to those registered organizations whose principal
programs, projects and activities are elderly-oriented and senior citizens-related.

CHAPTER II
THE KATIPUNAN NG NAKATATANDA AND THE SANGGUNIANG NAKATATANDA
SEC. 4. Katipunan ng Nakatatanda.— There shall be in every barangay a Katipunan ng

‘Nakatatanda to be composed of Filipino citizens residing in the locality or barangay for at least six
(6) months, who are sixty (60) years of age or above, and who are duly registered in the list of the


Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and/or the records of the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs
(OSCA) of the city or municipality.

SEC. 5. Powers and Functions of the Katipunan ng Nakatatanda. ~ The Katipunan ng Nakatatanda
shall:

(a) Elect the Sangguniang Nakatatanda chairperson and council members; and

(b) Serve as the highest policy-making body to decide on matters affecting the senior citizens or
elderly in the barangay. As such, the Sangguniang Nakatatanda shall consult and secure the
concurrence of the Katipunan ng Kabataan in the formulation of all its, programs, plans and
activities.

SEC. 6. Meetings of the Katipunan ng Nakatatanda. — The Katipunan ng Nakatatanda shall meet
at least once every six (6) months, or at the call of the chairperson of the Sangguniang Nakatatanda
or upon written petition of at least one-twentieth (1/20) of its members, to decide on important
issues affecting the senior citizens or elderly population of the barangay.

SEC. 7. Creation and Election of the Sangguniang Nakatatanda, ~ There shall be in every
barangay a Sangguniang Nakatatanda to be composed of a chairperson and seven (7) council
members who shall be elected by the registered voters of the Katipunan ng Nakatatanda. The
Sangguniang Nakatatanda chairpersor/shall, with the concurrence of the majority of the
Sangguniang Nakatatanda members, appoint from among the members of the Katipunan ng
Nakatatanda, a secretary and a treasurer.

SEC. 8. Meetings of the Sangguniang Nakatatanda. ~ (a) The Sangguniang Nakatatanda shall meet
regularly once a month on the date, time and place to be fixed by the said Sanggunian. special
meetings may be called by the chairperson or any four (4) of its members by giving written notice
of the date, time, place and agenda of the meeting, which can be sent either through personal
delivery, registered mail, fax or email, to all members, and must be received at least one (1) day
in advance. The Sangguniang Barangay and the Municipal or City Elderly Development Council
shall be furnished with notices of regular and special meetings and the minutes of the meetings
thereafter.

(b) A majority of the members including the chairperson shall constitute a quorum.

SEC. 9. Qualifications. - An elected or appointed official of the Sangguniang Nakatatanda must
be a citizen of the Philippines, a qualified voter of the Katipunan ng Nakatatanda, a resident of the
barangay for not less than one (1) year immediately preceding the day of the elections, at least
sixty (60) years of age on the day of the elections, able to read and write Filipino, English, or the
local dialect, must not be related within the second (2") civil degree of consanguinity or affinity
to any incumbent elected regional, provincial, city, municipal, or barangay official, in the locality
where the appointive or elective official seeks to be elected, and must not have been convicted by
final judgment of any crime involving moral turpitude: Provided, That the Sangguniang
Nakatatanda treasurer and secretary must be at least sixty (60) years, physically and mentally fit
to be able to perform the required tasks and responsibilities of the said positions or


designations: Provided, further, That the Sangguninang Nakatatanda chairperson shall appoint a
treasurer with an educational or career background relating to business administration,
accountancy, finance, economics, or bookkeeping: Provided, further, That only if no person meets
the requirements can the Sangguniang Nakatatanda chairperson consider other suitable
nominees: Provided, furthermore, That the appointed Sangguniang Nakatatanda treasurers shall
be properly secured or bonded to answer for the financial assets to be handled, as well as undergo
a mandatory bookkeeping training from, and be duly certified by, the Technical Education and
Skills Development Authority (TESDA) before assumption to office: Provided, finally, That the
appointed Sangguniang Nakatatanda treasurers shall be prioritized in the allocation of the
appropriate TESDA scholarships."

SEC. 10. Powers and Functions of the Sangguniang Nakatatanda.
Nakatatanda shall:

‘The Sangguniang

(a) In consultation and with the concurrence of the Katipunan ng Nakatatanda, and within
three (3) months from their assumption to office, formulate a three (3)-year rolling plan,
which shall be known as the Comprehensive Barangay Elderly Development Plan
(CBEDP), which shall serve as basis in the preparation of the Annual Barangay Elderly
Investment Program. This plan shall be aligned with the Philippine Plan of Action for
Senior Citizens (PPASC), the Philippine Elderly Development Plan (PEDP) and othet
Local Elderly Development Plan (LEDP) in every level, municipal, city and provincial as
is relevant;

b) Approve the annual budget which is the annual slice of the Annual Barangay Nakatatanda
Investment Program before the start of the succeeding fiscal year and, if the Sangguniang
Nakatatanda funds allow, a supplemental budget. Any changes in the annual budget shall be in
accordance with existing applicable budget rules and procedures;

(c) Promulgate resolutions necessary to carry out the objectives of the elderly in the barangay in
accordance with the Comprehensive Barangay Elderly Development Plan (CBEDP) and the
applicable provisions of this Act;

(4) Initiate and implement, in coordination with any national government agency and/or any
private or nongovernment institution, programs and projects designed to promote general welfare,
development and empowerment of the elderly;

(e) Hold fund-raising activities which are in line with the Comprehensive Barangay Elderly
Development Plan (CBEDP), the proceeds of which shall be tax-cxempt and shall accrue to the
general fund of the Sangguniang Nakatatanda: Provided, however, That in the appropriation
thereof, the specific purpose for which such activity has been held shall be first
satisfied: Provided, further, That any appropriation thereof shall be in accordance with existing
applicable budget, accounting and auditing rules and regulations, such as those issued by the
Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Commission on Audit (COA);

) Create regular and special committees and such other bodies whose chairpersons and members
of which shall come from among the members of the Sangguniang Nakatatanda or from among


the members of the Katipunan ng Nakatatanda, as it may deem necessary to effectively carry out
its programs and activities;

(g) Submit the annual and end-of-term program accomplishments and financial reports to the
Sangguniang Barangay and present the same during the Katipunan ng Nakatatanda assembly, copy
furnished the Office of the Local Government Operations Officer and Local Elderly Development
Council (LEDO), all in accordance with the prescribed form by the DILG and the Commission;

(h) Partner with the LEDC in planning and executing projects and programs of specific advocacies
like good governance, climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction and resiliency. elderly
employment and livelihood, health and wellness, human rights, gender sensitivity, and active
ageing;

(i) Adopt and implement a policy on full public disclosure of all its transactions and documents
involving public interest; and

"@) Within sixty (60) days from their assumption to office, the Sangguniang Nakatatanda shall:
"(1) Formulate and approve its internal rules and procedures;
"(2) Appoint its secretary and treasurer; and

"(3) Set the schedule of regular Sangguniang Nakatatanda meetings and Katipunan ng
Nakatatanda assemblies; and

"(k) Exercise such other powers and perform such other functions as may be prescribed by law
or ordinance, or delegated by the Sangguninang Barangay or the Commission."

SEC. 11. Term of Office. — (a) The chairperson and members of the Sangguniang Nakatatanda
shall hold office for a fixed term of three (3) years unless sooner removed for cause, permanently
incapacitated, have died or resigned from office.

(b) The Sangguniang Nakatatanda secretary and treasurer shall be co-terminus with the appointing
authority unless sooner removed for cause, found to have failed from the discharge of his or her
duties, or has committed abuse of authority as stipulated in existing laws pertaining to the conduct
of public officials, through a majority vote of all the members of the Katipunan ng Nakatatanda in
a regular or special assembly called for the purpose.

SEC. 12. Sangguniang Nakatatanda Chairperson. — The chairperson of the Sangguniang
Nakatatanda shall automatically serve as an ex officio member of the Sangguniang Barangay upon
assumption to office. As such, he or she shalll 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 chairperson of the Committee on Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities
(PWDs), tackling ageing and disability-related concerns. He or she shall be entitled to a pro-rata
honoraria for every session of the Sangguniang Barangay he or she has attended.


SEC. 13. Powers and Functions of the Sangguniang Nakatatanda Chairperson. — The
Sangguniang Nakatatanda chairperson shall exercise such powers and discharge such duties as
follows:

(a) Call and preside over all meetings of the Sangguniang Nakatatanda, and vote in case of a tie,
and assemblies of the Katipunan ng Nakatatanda, except when one. (1) of the agenda to be
discussed in such assembly involves the disciplinary action against the Sangguniang Nakatatanda
chairperson, in which case, the highest ranking Sangguniang Nakatatanda member shall preside;

(b) Take the lead in the formulation of the Comprehensive Barangay Elderly Development Plan
and in the preparation and implementation of the Annual Barangay Elderly Investment Program;

(©) Ensure the implementation of policies, programs and projects as contained in the Annual
Barangay Elderly Investment Programs, in coordination with the Sangguniang Barangay and the
Municipal or City Elderly Development Council;

(@) Sign all required documents and warrants drawn from the Sangguniang Nakatatanda funds for
all expenditures in the implementation of the Comprehensive Barangay Elderly Development Plan
and Annual Barangay Elderly Investment Program;

(e) Exercise general supervision over the affairs and activities of the Sangguniang Nakatatanda
and the Katipunan ng Nakatatanda as well as the official conduct of its members;

(f) With the concurrence of the Sangguniang Nakatatanda, appoint from among the members of
the Katipunan ng Nakatatanda secretary and a treasurer;

(g) Coordinate with the Sangguniang Barangay and other senior citizens organizations within his
or her barangay on elderly-related programs and projects that they wish to initiate and implement;
and

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

SEC. 14. Sangguniang Nakatatanda Secretary. ~The Sangguniang Nakatatanda secretary shall:

(a) Keep all the records of the Katipunan ng Nakatatanda, including the list of its qualified
members, elderly policies, studies, research and registry of senior citizens and elderly-serving
organizations in the barangay, if any;

(b) Prepare and keep all the minutes of all assemblies of the Katipunan ng Nakatatanda and of all
the meetings of the Sangguniang Nakatatanda;

(©) Cause the posting, in the barangay bulletin board and in at least three (3) conspicuous places
within the jurisdiction of the barangay, and if possible including the use of traditional and
nontraditional media, and make available for any person with legal purpose, all resolutions
approved by the Sangguniang Nakatatanda, the annual and end-of-term reports of the programs


and projects implemented by the Sangguniang Nakatatanda, the Comprehensive Barangay Elderly
Development Plan and Annual Barangay Elderly Investment Program and the dissemination of the
same to concerned offices, institutions and individuals; and

(d) Perform such other duties and discharge such other functions as the Sangguniang Nakatatanda
chairperson may prescribe or direct.

SEC. 15. Sangguniang Nakatatanda Treasurer. - The Sangguniang Nakatatanda treasurer, who
shall be bonded officer, shall:

(a) Take custody of all Sangguniang Nakatatanda property and funds;

(b) Collect and receive contributions, monies, materials, and all other resources intended for the
Sangguniang Nakatatanda and the Katipunan ng Nakatatanda;

(0) Serve as cosignatory in all withdrawals from the Sangguniang Nakatatanda funds and disburse
funds in accordance with the approved annual budget and supplemental budget, as the case may
be, of the Sangguniang Nakatatanda,

(4) Certify to the availability of the Sangguniang Nakatatanda funds whenever necessary:

(e) Submit to the Sangguniang Nakatatanda and to the Sangguniang Barangay certified and
detailed statements of actual income and expenditures at the end of every quarter and the posting
of the same in the barangay bulletin board and in at least three (3) conspicuous places within the
jurisdiction of the barangay, and if possible including the use of traditional and nontraditional
media;

(f) Render report during the regular Katipunan ng Nakatatanda assembly on the financial status of
the Sangguniang Nakatatanda; and

(g) Perform such other duties and discharge such other functions as the Sangguniang Nakatatanda
chairperson may prescribe or direct.

SEC. 16. Privileges of Sangguniang Nakatatanda Officials. ~

(a) All Sangguniang Nakatatanda officials in good standing, whether elected or appointed, shall,
during their incumbency:

(1) Be entitled to receive actual travelling reimbursements as may be authorized by law, and
subject to the availability of funds: Provided, That, such travel is directly related to the
performance of their functions as Sangguniang Kabataan officials and is supported by
duly approved travel order by the Punong Barangay in the case of the Sangguniang
Nakatatanda chairperson, or by the Sangguniang Nakatatanda chairperson in the case of
the other Sangguniang Nakatatanda officials.

(2) The Sangguniang Nakatatanda members, including the Sangguniang Nakatatanda
treasurer and secretary, shall receive a monthly allowance or honorarium, chargeable


against the Sangguniang Nakatatanda funds, in addition to any other compensation
provided by this Act and shall be granted at the end of every regular monthly
Sangguniang Nakatatanda meeting: Provided, That the monthly honorarium shall not
exceed the monthly compensation received by their Sangguniang Nakatatanda
chairperson: Provided, further, That not more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the
Sangguniang Nakatatanda funds shall be allocated for personnel services. The DBM shall
issue the necessary guidelines implementing this provision.

"The local government units may provide additional honorarium as well as social welfare
contributions and hazard pay to the Sangguniang Nakatatanda chairperson and the elected
and appointed members through their own local ordinances: Provided, That the
honorarium as stated in this section shall be subject to the post-audit jurisdiction of the
COA; and

(3) Be entitled to the appropriate civil service eligibility based on the years of service to the
barangay pursuant to the rules and regulations to be promulgated by the Civil Service
Commission (CSC).

(b) The Sangguniang Nakatatanda chairperson shall have the same privileges enjoyed by other
Sangguniang Nakatatanda officials under this Act subject to such requirements and limitations
provided herein."

SEC. 17. Persons in Authority ~ For purposes of the Revised Penal Code, the Sangguniang
‘Nakatatanda chairperson and members in each barangay shall be deemed as persons in authority
in their jurisdictions.

SEC. 18. Suspension and Removal from Office. Any elected official of the Sangguniang
Nakatatanda may, after due process, be suspended for not more than six (6) months or removed
from office by majority vote of all members of the Sangguniang Bayan or Sangguniang
Panlungsod which has jurisdiction in the barangay of the concerned Sangguniang Nakatatanda
official which shall be final and executory, on any of the following grounds:

(a) Absence from the regular meeting of the Sangguniang Nakatatanda without valid cause for two
(2) consecutive times or accumulated absences of four (4) within a period of twelve (12) months;

(b) Failure to convene the regular assembly of the Katipunan ng Nakatatanda for two (2)
consecutive times;

(©) Failure to convene the regular Sangguniang Nakatatanda meetings for three (3) consecutive
months in the case of the Sangguniang Nakatatanda chairperson;

(d) Failure to formulate the Comprehensive Barangay Elderly Development Plan and the Annual
Barangay Elderly Investment Program, or approve the annual budget within the prescribed period
of time without justifiable reason;


(e) Failure to implement programs and projects outlined in the Annual Barangay Elderly
Investment Program without justifiable reason;

(f) Four (4) consecutive absences during the regular Sangguniang Barangay sessions without valid
cause in the case of the Sangguniang Nakatatanda chairperson;

(g) Conviction by final judgment of a crime involving moral turpitude; and violation of existing
Jaws against graft and corruption and other civil service laws, rules and regulations; and

(h) Failure in the discharge of his or her duty or has committed abuse of authority.

SEC. 19. Succession and Filling up of Vacancies. - (a) In case a Sangguniang Nakatatanda
chairperson refuses to assume office, fails to qualify, voluntarily resigns, dies, is permanently
incapacitated, is removed from office, the Sangguniang Nakatatanda member who obtained the
highest number of votes in the election immediately preceding shall assume the office of the
chairperson, for the unexpired portion of his or her term. In case said member refuses to assume
the position or fails to qualify, the Sangguniang Nakatatanda member obtaining the next highest
number of votes shall assume the position of the chairperson for the unexpired portion of their
term: Provided, That, if the reason for the vacancy does not fall under the conditions stated
above, the mayor of the concerned barangay shall appoint an officer-in-charge (OIC) from a list
of at least three (3) nominees as submitted by the Sangguniang Nakatatanda

members: Provided, further, That the appointed OIC must meet the qualifications set under
Section 10 of this Act.

(b) After the vacancy shall have been filled, the Sangguniang Nakatatanda chairperson shall,
within thirty (30) days, call for a special Katipunan ng Nakatatanda assembly to elect a
Sangguniang Nakatatanda member to complete. the membership of said
sanggunian: Provided, That, such special assembly is coordinated with the Office of the Local
Government Operations Officer and the COMELEC of the municipality or city where the
concemed barangay belongs Such Sangguniang Nakatatanda member shall hold office for the
unexpired portion of the term of the vacant seat. For this purpose. any citizen of the Philippines
residing in the said barangay for at least six (6) months who attains the age of fifteen (15) years
old at the time of the special election and who registers as member of the Katipunan ng
Nakatatanda before the Sangguniang Nakatatanda secretary shall be entitled to vote in the said
special election.

(c) All other vacancies in the office of the Sangguniang Nakatatanda shall be filled in accordance
with the immediately preceding provision.

(d) In case of suspension of the Sangguniang Nakatatanda chairperson, the successor, as
determined in subsection (a) of this section, shall assume the position during the period of such
suspension.

SEC. 20. Sangguniang Nakatatanda Funds - ‘The Sangguniang Nakatatanda funds shall be
governed by the following provisions:


"(a) Alll the income of the barangay derived from whatever source shall accrue to its
general fund and shall, at the option of the barangay concerned, be kept as trust fund in
the custody of the city or municipal treasurer or be deposited in a bank preferably
government-owned, situated in or nearest to its area of jurisdiction. Such funds shall be
disbursed in accordance with the provisions of this Act. Ten percent (10%) of the general
funds of the barangay shall be set aside for the Sangguniang Nakatatanda. The
Sangguniang Nakatatanda funds in lump-sum which shall be disbursed for youth
development and empowerment purposes;

(b) The Sangguniang Nakatatanda shall have financial independence in its operations,
disbursements and encashment of their fund, income and expenditures. As such, the Sangguniang
Nakatatanda funds shall be deposited in the name of the Sangguniang Nakatatanda of the
concerned barangay in a government-owned bank situated in or nearest to its area of jurisdiction
with the Sangguniang Nakatatanda chairperson and the Sangguniang Nakatatanda treasurer as the
official signatories;

(©) All Sangguniang Nakatatanda funds shall be allocated in an annual budget, and if the funds
allow, in a supplemental budget in accordance with the adopted Annual Barangay Investment
Program. Both the Comprehensive Barangay Elderly Development Plan and Annual Barangay
Investment Program shall give priority to programs, projects and activities that will promote and
attain the thrusts of the PEDP such as health, livelihood, environment, global mobility, active
citizenship, governance, social equity and inclusion, peace-building and security, human rights,
gender equality and economic empowerment, including:

(1) Training fees and transportation allowances, and other continuing education and
skills development assistance programs that will promote and support active and
productive ageing;

"(2) Health and wellness projects to address physical and mental health. disabilities,
chronic and degenerative diseases, and other health issues;

"(3) Skills training, alternative livelihood opportunities, part-time employment,
volunteerism, and financial assistance;

"(4) Projects promoting the participation of the elderly and their participation in
agricultural, fishery, and forestry enterprises;

"(5) Programs and activities that will involve the elderly at the forefront of climate action,
environmental protection and conservation efforts, and enlist their involvement in
calamity preparedness, information dissemination and other disaster-related activities;
"(6) Capacity-building for grassroots organization and leadership, and values education;
and

"(7) Programs and activities that address context-specific and intersectional
vulnerabilities of older persons;


(d) The Sangguniang Bayan or Sangguniang Panlungsod shall, within sixty (60) days upon receipt
hereof, review the annual budget and supplements! budget of the Sangguniang Nakatatanda on
their compliance in the immediately preceding provision and other existing laws, rules and
regulations. Noncompliance shall render said budgets inoperative either in whole or in part. Failure
on the part of the Sanggunian to complete the review within the prescribed period shall render the
said annual budget deemed approved.

All Sangguniang Nakatatanda funds derived from any source shall be stated in its financial records
which shall be kept by the Sangguniang Nakatatanda treasurer, copy furnished the sangguniang
barangay, in simplified manner as may be prescribed by the Commission on Audit (COA). All
Sangguniang Nakatatanda funds shall be subject to all existing accounting and auditing laws, rules
and regulations.

(e) The Sangguniang Nakatatanda may set aside an amount for the mandatory and continuing
training of Sangguniang Nakatatanda to complement the training fund therein provided under the
Sangguniang Nakatatanda Act of 2023. The total amount appropriated for training and capability-
building shall not be more than fifteen percent (15%) of the Sangguniang Nakatatanda fund. The
Sangguniang Nakatatanda may also consult non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and civil
society organizations (CSOs) accredited by the Department of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD) or registered with Local Government Units, in the development of mandatory programs
and trainings for its officials."

SEC. 21. Pederasyon ng Sangguniang Nakatatanda. — (a) There shall be an organization of the
Pederasyon ng mga Sangguniang Nakatatanda to be known as follows:

(1) In municipalities, Pambayang Pederasyon ng mga Sangguniang Nakatatanda which shall be
composed of the Sangguniang Nakatatanda chairpersons of barangays in the municipality;

(2) In cities, the Panlungsod na Pederasyon ng mga Sangguniang Nakatatanda which shall be
composed of the Sangguniang Nakatatanda chairpersons of barangays in the city; and

(3) In provinces, Panlalawigang Pederasyon ng mga Sangguniang Nakatatanda which shall be
composed of the convenors of the Pambayan and Panlungsod na Pederasyon ng mga Sangguniang
Nakatatanda.

(b) The Pederasyon ng Sangguniang Nakatatanda shall, at all levels, elect from among themselves
a president, a vice president, a! treasurer, a secretary and such other officers as they may deem
necessary. The concerned Local Government Operations Officer, in coordination with the election
officer, shall facilitate the conduct of the elections which shall be held within fifteen (15) days
from the Sangguniang Kabataan elections in case of the Pambayan and Panlungsod na Pederasyon,
and within thirty (30) days in case of the Panlalawigang Pederasyon.

(c) The manner of election, suspension and removal of the officers of the Pederasyon at all levels
and the term of office of the other officers of the Pederasyon shall be governed by the guidelines
to be jointly issued by the DILG, the COMELEC and the Commission within sixty (60) days upon
the effectivity of this Act.


(@) Duties and Functions of the Pederasyon ng Sangguniang Nakatatanda. - The Pederasyon ng
Sangguniang Nakatatanda and the Local Elderly Development Council (LEDC) shall draft the
Local Elderly Development Plan (LEDP). The Pederasyon ng Sangguniang Nakatatanda and
LEDC shall convene quarterly to ensure the implementation of the LYDP and alignment of
Comprehensive Barangay Elderly Development Program and Annual Barangay Elderly
Investment Program to the LEDP. The Pederasyon shall also cascade information and facilitate
knowledge transfer to their respective localities.

"(©) The presidents of the Panlalawigang Pederasyon ng mga Sangguniang Nakatatanda and the
presidents of the Panlungsod na Pederasyon ng mga Sangguniang Nakatatanda of highly
urbanized cities and independent component cities shall elect, among themselves, one (1)
representative from Luzon, one (1) representative from Visayas, and one (1) representative from
Mindanao to serve as members of the Advisory Council created under Republic Act No. 11350
or the "National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC)."

SEC. 22. Membership in the Sanggunian and Local Special Bodies. — (a) The duly elected
president of the Pederasyon ng Sangguniang Nakatatanda, at all levels, shall serve as ex
officio member of the Sangguniang Bayan, Sangguniang Panlungsod and Sangguniang
Panlalawigan, respectively and shall:

"(a) be the chairperson of the Committee on Active Ageing and Disability Concerns in
the said Sanggunian, and a regular member of the Committees on Education,
Environment, Employment and Livelihood, Health and Anti-Drug Abuse, and Gender
and Development;

"(b) serve as ex officio member of Local School Board, Local Council for the Protection
of Children, Local Development Council, Local Health Board, Local Tourism Council
and Local Peace and Order Council; and

"(©) convene the LEDC every three (3) months to conduct consultations with senior citizens
organizations."

CHAPTER III
THE LOCAL ELDERLY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (LEDC)

SEC. 23. Creation. ~ To ensure wide and multi-sectoral elderly participation in local governance,
there shall be in every province, city and municipality a Local Elderly Development Council
(LEDC) “which shall be called, Provincial Elderly Development Council, City Youth
Development Council and Municipal Youth Development Council, respectively. The LEDC shall
be composed of representatives of senior citizens and older people-serving organizations in the
provincial, city, and municipal level. The LEDC shall assist the planning and execution of projects
and programs of the Sangguniang Nakatatanda, and the Pederasyons in all levels.

SEC. 24. Local Elderly Development Council Funds. - The LEDC shall be funded by their
respective Sangguniang Bayan, Sangguniang Panlungsod and Sangguniang Panlalawigan.


CHAPTER IV
THE LOCAL ELDERLY DEVELOPMENT OFFICE (LEDO)

SEC. 25. Creation. — There shall be in every province, city, and municipality an Elderly
Development Office which shall be headed by a Provincial Senior Citizens Affairs Officer or the
Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) Head. Said office may be put under the supervision and
monitoring of either the Office of the Local Chief Executive, the Office of the Planning and
Development, the Office of the Social Welfare, or in any other office deemed appropriate by the
local government unit. If the funds of the local government units are sufficient, it can be a separate
department with division and units for policy and planning, administration and finance, and
programs and operations. In the event when the local government unit has exceeded the prescribed
personal services limitations, the local chief executive may designate exiting personnel deemed fit
to serve this purpose;

SEC. 26. Funding. — The local government unit shalll incorporate in its annual budget such amount
as may be necessary for the operation and effective functioning of the Local Elderly Development
Office.

CHAPTER V

CAPABILITY-BUILDING AND ORIENTATION TOWARDS NATION-BUILDING AND
EMPOWERMENT

SEC. 27. Mandatory and Continuing Training Programs. — For the purpose of emphasizing the
role of the elderly in nation-building and molding them to become better citizens with the values
of patriotism, nationalism and honor as a Filipino, any Sangguniang Elderly official, whether
elected or appointed, or any member of the LEDC must undergo the mandatory training programs
before he or she can assume office. During their incumbency, they must attend the continuing
training programs to be undertaken by the Commission in coordination with the DILG. Deliberate
failure to attend the said training programs shall constitute sufficient ground to disqualify said
Sangguniang Nakatatanda official or LEDC member or subject them to disciplinary actions.

SEC. 28. Components of the Mandatory Training Programs.-The Commission and the
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) with the assistance of the Development
‘Academy of the Philippines (DAP), the Local Government Academy (LGA), the University of the
Philippines-National Colleges of Public Administration and Governance (UP-NCPAG). and in
consultation with elderly stakeholders shall jointly design and implement the mandatory and
continuing training programs. The mandatory training programs must include the following
components: (a) (1) The Philippine cultural history, political systems, ethics and ideologies; (2)
The Filipino older person as a nation builder; (3) The Filipino senior citizen and its role in nation-
building; and (b) capacity-building on leadership, program and project development and
sustainability, financial management, and accountability and transparency. The Commission and
the DILG may also coordinate with the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher
Education (CHED), and TESDA, for the offering of relevant courses that emphasize the role of
education and skills development in nation-building and would further enhance the knowledge,



network, and capacity of Sangguniang Nakatatanda officials and LEDC members to craft and
implement relevant elderly development plans.

SEC. 29. Training Fund — A training fund with an initial amount of fifty million pesos
(P50,000,000.00) is hereby established and appropriated from any available source to be managed
by the Commission. Thereafter, such amount needed for this purpose shall be included in the
Annual General Appropriations Act.

CHAPTER VI
LINGGO NG NAKATATANDA or “ELDERLY FILIPINO WEEK”
SEC. 30. Observance of Lingo ng Nakatatanda or Elderly Filipino Week. ~

(a) Every barangay, municipality, city and province shall conduct an annual activity to celebrate
the Elderly Filipino Week or Linggo ng Nakatatanda, on the week where the October Ist falls
to coincide with the International Day of Older Persons. The Sangguniang Nakatatanda, in the
case of barangay, and the respective LEDC in cooperation with the Pederasyon ng mga
‘Sangguniang Nakatatanda, in the case of municipality, city and province, shall actively participate
in this observance and coordinate with the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs and senior citizens
organizations.

(b) The observance of the Linggo ng Nakatatanda or Elderly Filipino Week shall include the
election of the counterparts of all local elective and appointive officials, as well as heads of national
offices or agencies stationed or assigned in the territorial jurisdiction of the local government unit.
During said week, they shall hold office as alternate LGU officials and shall perform such duties
and conduct such activities as may be provided in the ordinance enacted pursuant to this Chapter.

CHAPTER VII
REGISTRATION, ELECTION AND ASSUMPTION OF OFFICE

SEC. 31. Registration. — For purposes of the next regular Sangguniang Nakatatanda election under
this Act, the COMELEC shall set a special registration of the Katipunan ng Nakatatanda which
shall in no case be less than one (1) month and shall include Saturdays and Sundays. Subsequent
registration of the Katipunan ng Nakatatanda shall be governed by Republic Act No. 8189
including the system of continuing registration.

SEC. 32. Date of Election. — The Sangguniang Nakatatanda elections shall be synchronized with
the Barangay and SK Elections (BSKE) and subsequently every three (3) years thereafter.

SEC. 33. Membership in the National Commission of Senior Citizens. - The presidents of the
Panlalawigang Pederasyon ng mga Sangguniang Nakatatanda and the presidents of the Panlungsod
na Pederasyon ng mga Sangguniang Nakatatanda of highly urbanized cities and independent
component cities shall elect, among themselves, a representative who shall sit as anex


officio member in the Advisory Council of the National Commission of Senior Citizens,
consistent with Republic Act No. 11350."

CHAPTER VIII
FINAL PROVISIONS,

SEC. 34. Funding and Appropriations. - The amounts necessary to carry out the implementation
of this Act shall be charged against the Annual General Appropriations Act, or as may be
authorized by the local government units pursuant to Section 4 of this Act.

SEC. 35. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). - The Commission, the DSWD, the DILG,
the COMELEC, the Department of Budget and Management, and the COA, in consultation with
the local government leagues such as the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP), the
League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP), the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines
(ULAP), and various senior citizens organizations and older person-serving organizations shall be
tasked to come up, within sixty (60) days upon approval of this Act, with the IRR needed for the
implementation of this Act.

SEC. 36. Separability Clause. —If, for any reason or reasons, any part or provision of this Act shall
be declared unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions not affected thereby shall continue
to be in full force and effect.

SEC. 37. Repealing Clause. ~ Sections 329, 423-439 of Republic Act No. 7160, also known as
“The Local Government Code of 1991” and all other laws, presidential decrees, executive orders
letters of instruction, rules and regulations or portions thereof which are inconsistent with this Act
are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 38. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after the completion of
its publication in the Official Gazette or in any two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved