Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 4685

Introduced by Representatives HORACIO P. SUANSING, JR.
and ESTRELLITA B. SUANSING _

AN ACT
FURTHER AMENDING SECTION 5 (F) OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7342, AS
AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “EXPANDED SENIOR CITIZENS ACT
OF 2010”

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article XIII, Section 11 of the Constitution provides that there shall be priority
for the needs of the elderly. Article XV, Section 4 of the Constitution further declares
that it is the duty of the family to take care of its elderly members but the State may
also do so through just programs of social security

To achieve these Constitutional mandates, Republic Act No. 7432, as
amended, otherwise known as the “Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010", was
enacted. This Act is a testament to the State's recognition of the rights of senior
citizens and its commitment to protecting them

Section 5 (f) of Republic Act No. 7432, as further amended by Republic Act
No. 9994, provides for the development of a program to assist senior citizens in fully
gaining access to public transport facilities. However, there are reports that some
transport providers and terminals have not been providing priority access and
assistance to senior citizens, In order to ensure the proper implementation of the
said law and ensure that senior citizens are granted the privileges that they deserve,
there is a need to further amend certain provisions of Republic Act No. 7432, as
amended

This bill intends to cover all forms of public transport (ie. airports, seaports,
train stations and public utility vehicle terminals) and all ports of entry and exit; and
seeks to concretize special privileges that should be granted to senior citizens by
institutionalizing the following:

a

priority handling and assistance during ticketing, check-in, boarding,
disembarkation, luggage pick up and Customs clearance;

priority handling and assistance during security checks conducted upon
entry to the terminal and to the pre-departure area;

priority handling and assistance in immigration processing:

priority on seat assignments and allocation of seats dedicated to senior
citizens; and

b)

ae


e) physical assistance to senior citizens to facilitate movement around the
terminal, including the provision of wheelchairs, canes and walkers
(Mobility Assistance)

Therefore, the passage of this bill will advance and protect the well-being of
the elderly and recognize that senior citizens are integral part of Philippine society.

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

HOR: SUANSING, JR. 5.
2nd Dis#ict of Sultan Kudarat ‘st District of Nueva Eqjja



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

ata) an

House Bill No, 4635

Introduced by Representatives HORACIO P. SUANSING, JR.
and ESTRELLITA B. SUANSING

AN ACT
FURTHER AMENDING SECTION 5 (F) OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7432, AS
AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “EXPANDED SENIOR CITIZENS ACT
OF 2010”

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

SECTION 1. Section 5 (f) of Republic Act No. 7432, as amended by Republic
Act No. 9257, and as further amended by Republic Act No. 9994, otherwise known
as the “Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010”, is hereby amended to read as
follows:

“Section 5. (f) Access to Public Transport

The [Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC)]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (DOTr) shall develop a
program to assist senior citizens to fully gain access to public transport
facilities, THIS PROGRAM SHALL GIVE SENIOR CITIZENS
SPECIAL PRIVILEGES ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES AND
AMENITIES INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING:

(1) PRIORITY HANDLING AND ASSISTANCE DURING TICKETING,
SECURITY CHECK, CHECK-IN, IMMIGRATION, BOARDING,
DISEMBARKATION, LUGGAGE PICK UP AND CUSTOMS
CLEARANCE;

(2) PRIORITY ON SEAT ASSIGNMENTS; AND

(3) MOBILITY ASSISTANCE."

SECTION 2. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days
from the effectivity of this Act, a Committee composed of:

(a) The Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development;

(b) The Secretary of the Department of Transportation;

(c) The Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry; and

(d) Other representatives of concemed entities and key stakeholders, as
determined by the Committee as members,


shall formulate and adopt amendments to the existing rules and regulations
implementing Republic Act No. 7432, as amended, to carry out the objectives of this
Act

SECTION 3. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is
declared unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not affected
thereby shall remain in force and effect

SECTION 4. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and
regulations or other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this
Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 5. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following
the completion of its publication either in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2)
newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,