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Republic of the Philippines
Bouse of Representatives
Queson City, Metro Manila

Eighteenth Congress

First Regular Session

2853
House Bill No.

Introduced by

HON. ANNA MARIE VILLARAZA-SUAREZ and
HON. DAVID C. SUAREZ

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Senior Citizens are custodians of our culture worthy of emulation. They are
the repository of life’s lessons as experienced by them, and thus are a reliable
source not only of knowledge, but more importantly, of wisdom.

Senior citizens also play a significant role in the social fabric of our society.
Though they may be weak in body, their strength of experience can act as «
lighthouse for policy makers. Even at their age, they contribute to the economy
informally, such as by caring for their grandchildren to enable the parents to go to
work.

However, there is still a significant number of older People living in Poverty
today. Given that majority of senior citizens lack healthcare insurance and
aggravated by high cost of medical services, most of them have been fully
dependent on government medical subsidy. In the Philippines, communicable
diseases are still widespread and considering the weak resistance of the senior
citizen, they have been more likely to suffer due to poverty and limited access and
inadequate health services.

The 1987 Constitution mandates tilat in the endeavor to make essential
goods, health and other social services available to all the People at affordable cost,
the State shall give priority to the underprivileged, including the elderly. Pursuant


thereto, Republic Act No. 7432, as amended by Republic Act No. 9257 and Republic
Act No. 9994, were successively enacted. The salient feature of the law is the
Provision of privileges in the form of discount (20%) in the purchasing of medicines
and basic commodities for the personal use and enjoyment of the senior citizen,
transportation fares, as well as access to recreational facilities.

But in this day, the inflation rate increases the price of all commodities -
transport, food, clothing, housing, electricity, education, logistics, and health
medication - and has a big impact in the life of Filipino people especially those who.
are poor, including indigent senior citizens. Thus, the need to further expand the
existing benefits given to senior citizens under existing laws to enable them to cope
up with the needs of the times.

This bill seeks to lessen the burden of senior citizens as occasioned by recent
socio-economic developments in the country by increasing the discount granted to
them in their purchases and availment of goods and services as provided by
existing laws from twenty percent (20%) to thirty percent (30%).

For the foregoing reasons, the immediate consideration and approval of this
bill is earnestly sought.

REPRESENTATIVE
ALONA PARTYLIST



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Republic of the Philippines:

Bouse of Representatives
Queson City, Metro Manila

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Eighteenth Congress

First Regular Session

Introduced by

HON. ANNA MARIE VILLARAZA-SUAREZ and
HON. DAVID C. SUAREZ

AN ACT

INCREASING THE GRANT GIVEN TO SENIOR CITIZENS FROM TWENTY

PERCENT (20%) TO THIRTY PERCENT (30%) DISCOUNT ON PURCHASES
OF CERTAIN GOODS AND SERVICES, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7432, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS AN ‘ACT

TO MAXIMIZE THE CONTRIBUTION OF SENIOR CITIZENS TO NATION

BUILDING, GRANT OF BENEFITS AND SPECIAL PRIVILEGES AND FOR

OTHER PURPOSES’

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

SECTION 1. Section 4 of Republic Act No. 7432, as amended by Republic Act
No. 9257, otherwise known as the ‘Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2003’, and
Republic Act No. 9994, , otherwise known as the ‘Expanded Senior Citizens Act of
2010’, is hereby further amended to read as follows:

SECTION 4. Privileges for the Senior Citizens. -

The senior citizens shall be entitled to the following:


(a) the grant of [ ] THIRTY PERCENT (30%)
discount and exemption from the value vadded tax (VAT), if
applicable, on the sale of the following goods srs services from all
establishments, for the exclusive use and enjoyment or availment of
the senior citizens :

XXX

XXX,

SECTION 2. Repealing Clause - A\l laws, 'ssuances, executive orders, and rules
and regulations, or any part thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed
or modified accordingly.

SECTION 3. Effectivity Clause - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation,

Approved.