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

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

“ "House Bil No, 2298

Introduced by
Senior Citizens Party-List Representative RODOLFO “OMPONG” M. ORDANES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Senior Citizen Discount Act of 2010 provides significant benefits to senior citizens in the
Philippines, particularly in the form of discounts on goods and services. However, the current law does
Not cover some essential items, such as food and vitamin supplements, which are crucial for maintaining
good health and well-being in the elderly population. This bill aims to address this gap by expanding
the senior citizen discount to include food and vitamin supplements.

Senior citizens in the Philippines face numerous challenges, including limited access to healthcare, social
isolation, and financial difficulties. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the country's elderly
Population reached 9.8 million in 2020, with a projected increase to 27.5 million by 2050. Many of these
seniors live in poverty, with limited access to basic needs, such as food and healthcare.

Vitamin and mineral deficiencies are prevalent among the elderly population in the Philippines.
‘According to a study conducted by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute, 50% of the elderly
Population in the country have inadequate intake of vitamins and minerals, which can lead to various
health problems, such as anemia, osteoporosis, and impaired immune function. Furthermore, according
toa survey conducted by the Coalition of Services of the Elderly, 89% of the elderly respondents said
they struggle to afford basic needs, such as food and healthcare,

Food and vitamin supplements are essential for maintaining good health in the elderly population.
However, these items can be expensive, and many senior citizens cannot afford them. Expanding the
senior citizen discount to include food and vitamin supplements will help alleviate the financial burden
of these essential items and improve the health and well-being of the elderly population in the country.


‘The proposed measure seeks to amend the Senior Citizen Discount Act of 2010 to include food and
vitamin supplements as eligible items for the senior citizen discount. The discount will apply to food
items purchased in supermarkets, groceries, and restaurants, as well as vitamin supplements sold in
drugstores and pharmacies. The discount rate will remain at 20%, as stipulated in the current law. This
will provide significant benefits to senior citizens in the Philippines, particularly those living in poverty
and facing health challenges. By expanding the senior citizen discount to include food and vitamin
supplements, the government can help promote good health and well-being in the elderly population
and contribute to a more inclusive and caring society.

In view of this, the passage of the bill s earnestly sought.


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

NINETEENTH CONGRESS.
First Regular Session

*. ” House Bill No. 72298

Introduced by
Senior Citizens Party-List Representative RODOLFO “OMPONG” M. ORDANES

AN ACT

EXPANDING THE COVERAGE OF THE SENIOR CITIZEN DISCOUNTS TO INCLUDE VITAMINS,
MINERAL, AND FOOD SUPPLEMENTS

&e it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the "Senior Citizen Discounts for Vitamins,
Minerals, and Food Supplements Act."

‘SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the prime duty of the State to 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, especially to our senior citizens.

‘SECTION 3. Section 2 of the Expanded Senior Citizens Act shall be amended to read as follows:
“Medicines - refer to prescription and non-prescription/over-the-counter drugs, both

prescribed by the attending physician, and approved by th the Department of Health
(DOB) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which are intended for use in the
diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of human disease or sickness. It does
not include food, devices or their components, parts, or accessories.”

SECTION 4. Separability Clause. — If any part or provision of this Act shall be declared unconstitutional

or invalid, other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and
effect.


‘SECTION 5. Repealing Clause. — All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations,
other issuances, and parts thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby
repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 6. £ffectivity. — This Act shalll take effect fifteen (15) days following its publication in two
(2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved.