ENTATIVES:

HUUSE OF REPRE

Republic of the Philippines _
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2 CEA ES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRE;!

First Regular Session

ON UNIT
SERVICE

House Bill No. £490

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE ARTHUR C. YAP

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Historians often state that the Philippine Barangay system of
government evolved from a council of village elders. A group of elders, who
literally due to their advanced ages have gathered wisdom that could guide
the younger members, were chosen to lead their communities.

This historical perspective is not unique to the Philippines. Even the
Roman Government, upon which most modern republican governments
were molded, started with the creation of the Roman Senate, coined from the
term “Senatus”, meaning council of elders.

Thus, since time immemorial, and not merely in the Philippines but
everywhere in the world, people have not merely subscribed to heeding, the
advice of the elderly, but likewise allowed their leadership and governance.

In the present day however, the influence of the elderly, even in
Barangay and small town politics, has started to diminish. Much worse, their
representation in government has become very much insignificant.

It should be noted that in the year 2007, there were around 5.8 Million
senior citizens, or those with ages 60 years old and above. This comprises
around 6.5% of the entire population. It is projected that by the year 2030,
the senior citizens would comprise 10% of the total population.

Yet still, the senior citizens have not been properly represented in
government, starting from the Barangay government.

This should be contrasted with the youth sector which has
representation in government, starting from the Barangay, through the
Sangguniang Kabataan (SK). This, even though under Republic Act No.
9164, SK membership has been limited to those with ages 15 to not more


than 18 years. It is needless to state that such is a very minute segment of the
population.

A positive action is needed for the senior citizens and the elderly to
have a voice in government.

Under this measure, the Local Government Code of 1991 shall be
amended and a Sangguniang Senior Citizens and a Katipunan ng mga Senior
Citizens shall be created. The Senior Citizens Sanggunian shall be elected,
starting from the Barangay level, similar to the SK. The Chairman of the
Senior Citizens Sanggunian shall also become an ex officio member of the
Barangay Council.

The Senior Citizens Sanggunian shall likewise have Municipal, City
and Provincial Federations. They shall have representation in the
Sangguniang Pambayan, Panglungsod and Panglalawigan.

With this measure, not only are the senior citizens and the elderly
going to be properly represented in government and continue to perform an
active role in nation building. More important, we as a people would benefit
from their wisdom and values, which they have learned through the years.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill,
previously field as House Bill No. 412 by the undersigned in the Sixteenth
Congress, is earnestly sought.

ARTHUR C. YAP
Representative


ie

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 2450

Introduced byREPRESENTATIVE ARTHUR C. YAP

AN ACT

PROVIDING FOR REPRESENTATION IN ALL LEVELS
OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT FOR SENIOR CITIZENS,
CREATING THE SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS,
THE KATIPUNAN NG SENIOR CITIZENS, PROVIDING
FOR THEIR POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, AMENDING
FOR THE PURPOSE PERTINENT SECTIONS OF
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7160, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE OF
1991, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the
“Sangguniang Senior Citizens Act of 2016”.

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — \t hereby declared the policy
of the State to allow the senior citizens and the elderly to be properly
represented in government and continue to perform an active role in nation
building.

SECTION 3. Amendment of Section 423 of the Local Government
Code. — Section 423 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the
Local Government Code of 1991, is hereby further amended to read as

follows:


20

21

22

23

24

25

"CHAPTER VIII

Sangguniang Kabataan AND SANGGUNIANG
SENIOR CITIZENS

SECTION 423. Creation and Election. — (a) There shall
be in every barangay a sangguniang kabataan AND
SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS to be composed of a
chairman, [seven (7)] FOUR (4) members, a secretary, and a
treasurer.

(b) A sangguniang kabataan official who, during his
term of office, shall have passed the age of twenty-one (21)
years shall be allowed to serve the remaining portion of the

term for which he was elected.”

SECTION 4. Amendment of Section 424 of the Local Government
Code. — Section 424 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the
Local Government Code of 1991, is hereby further amended to read as

follows:

“SEC. 424. Katipunan ng Kabataan AND KATIPUNAN
NG SENIOR CITIZENS. — The katipunan ng kabataan AND
KATIPUNAN NG SENIOR CITIZENS shall be composed of
Filipino citizens actually residing in the barangay for at least six
(6) months, IN THE CASE OF THE KATIPUNAN NG
KABATAAN, who are fifteen (15) but less than eighteen (18)
years of age on the day of the election, AND IN THE CASE
OF KATIPUNAN NG SENIOR CITIZENS, WHO ARE

SIXTY (60) YEAR OF AGE OR MORE and who are duly


registered in the list of the sangguniang kabataan AND

SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS or in the official

barangay list in the custody of the barangay secretary.

SECTION 5. Amendment of Section 425 of the Local Government
Code, — Section 425 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the
Local Government Code of 1991, is hereby further amended to read as
follows:

SECTION 425. Meetings of the Katipunan ng Kabataan

AND THE KATIPUNAN NG SENIOR CITIZENS. — The

katipunan ng kabataan AND SANGGUNIANG SENIOR

CITIZENS shall meet at least once every three (3) months, or

at the call of the chairman of the sangguniang kabataan AND

SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS or upon written

petition of at least one-twentieth (1/20) of its members, to

decide on important issues affecting the youth AND THE

SENIOR CITIZENS, RESPECTIVELY, of the barangay.

SECTION 6. Amendment of Section 426 of the Local Government
Code. — Section 426 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the
Local Government Code of 1991, is hereby further amended to read as
follows:

SECTION 426. Powers and Functions of the

Sangguniang Kabataan AND SANGGUNIANG SENIOR

CITIZENS. — The sangguniang kabataan AND

SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS shall:


20

21

22

23

24

25

(a) | Promulgate resolutions necessary to carry out the
objectives of the youth AND THE SENIOR CITIZENS,
RESPECTIVELY, in the barangay in accordance with the
applicable provisions of this Code;

(b) Initiate programs designed to enhance the social,
political, economic, cultural, intellectual, moral, spiritual, and
physical development of the members;

(c) Hold fund-raising activities, the proceeds of which
shall be tax-exempt and shall accrue to the general fund of the
sangguniang kabataan AND SANGGUNIANG SENIOR
CITIZENS: Provided, however, That in the appropriation
thereof, the specific purpose for which such activity has been
held shall be first satisfied;

(d) Create such bodies or committees as it may deem
necessary to effectively carry out its programs and activities;

(e) Submit annual and end-of-term reports to the
sangguniang barangay on their projects and activities for the
survival and development of the youth AND THE SENIOR
CITIZENS in the barangay;

(f) Consult and coordinate with all youth AND
SENIOR CITIZENS organizations in the barangay for policy
formulation and program implementation;

(g) Coordinate with the appropriate national agency
for the implementation of youth AND SENIOR CITIZENS

development projects and programs at the national level;


OEE

1 (h) Exercise such other powers and perform such other

2 duties and functions as the sangguniang barangay may

3 determine or delegate or as may be prescribed by law or

4 ordinance.

5 SECTION 7. Amendment of Section 427 of the Local Government

6 Code. — Section 427 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the

7 Local Government Code of 1991, is hereby further amended to read as

8 follows:

9 SECTION 427. Meetings of the — Sangguniang
10 Kabataan AND SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS. —
ul The sangguniang kabataan AND SANGGUNIANG SENIOR
12 CITIZENS shall meet regularly once a month on the date,
1B time, and place to be fixed by the said RESPECTIVE
14 sanggunian. Special meetings may be called by the sangguniang
15 kabataan AND SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS
16 chairman or any TWO (2) [three (3)] of its members by giving
7 written notice to all members of the date, time, place and
18 agenda of the meeting at least one (1) day in advance. Notices
19 of regular or special meetings shall be furnished the punong
20 barangay and the sangguniang barangay.

21 A majority of the members of the sangguniang kabataan
22 AND SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS shall constitute
23 a quorum.

24 SECTION 8. Amendment of Section 428 of the Local Government

25 Code. — Section 428 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the


1

2

21

22

23

24

Local Government Code of 1991, is hereby further amended to read as
follows:

SEC. 428. Qualifications. — An elective official of the
sangguniang kabataan AND SANGGUNIANG SENIOR
CITIZENS must be a Filipino citizen, a qualified voter of the
katipunan ng kabataan AND SANGGUNIANG SENIOR
CITIZENS, a resident of the barangay for at least one (1) year
immediately prior to election, at least fifteen (15) years but less
than eighteen (18) years of age on the day of the election FOR
THE SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN AND SIXTY (60)
YEARS OF AGE OR MORE FOR SANGGUNIANG
SENIOR CITIZENS, able to read and write Filipino, English,
or the local dialect, and must not have been convicted of any
crime involving moral turpitude."

SECTION 9. Amendment of Section 429 of the Local Government
Code. — Section 429 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the
Local Government Code of 1991, is hereby further amended to read as
follows:

“SECTION 429. Term of Office. — The sangguniang
kabataan AND SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS
chairman and members shall hold office for a period of three
(3) years, unless sooner removed for cause as provided by law,
permanently incapacitated, die or resign from office.

SECTION 10. Amendment of Section 430 of the Local Government

Code. — Section 430 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the


1 Local Government Code of 1991, is hereby further amended to read as

2 follows:

3 SECTION 430. Sangguniang Kabataan AND
4 SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS Chairman. — The
5 registered voters of the katipunan ng kabataan AND
6 KATIPUNAN NG SENIOR CITIZENS shall elect the
7 chairman of the sangguniang kabataan AND SANGGUNIANG
8 SENIOR CITIZENS who shall BOTH automatically serve as
9 [an] ex officio memberS of the sangguniang barangay upon
10 [his] THEIR assumption to office. As such, [he] THEY shall

ll exercise the same powers, discharge the same duties and

R functions, and enjoy the same privileges as the regular

13 sangguniang barangay members, and shall be the chairman of

14 the committee on youth and sports development AND

15 COMMITTEE ON _ SENIOR CITIZES AFFAIRS,

16 RESPECTIVELY, in the said sanggunian.”

17 SECTION 11. Amendment of Section 431 of the Local Government

18 Code. — Section 431 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the

19 Local Government Code of 1991, is hereby further amended to read as

20 follows:

21 “SECTION 431. Powers and Duties of — the
22 Sangguniang Kabataan AND SANGGUNIANG SENIOR
23 CITIZENS Chairman. — In addition to the duties which may
4 be assigned to [him] THEM by the sangguniang barangay, the


20

21

22

23

sangguniang kabataan AND SANGGUNIANG SENIOR
CITIZENS [chairman] CHAIRMEN shall:

(a) Call and preside over all meetings of the
RESPECTIVE katipunan ng kabataan AND KATIPUNAN
NG SENIOR CITIZENS and the sangguniang kabataan AND
SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS;

(b) Implement policies, programs, and projects within
his jurisdiction in coordination with the sangguniang barangay;

(c) Exercise general supervision over the affairs and
activities of the sangguniang kabataan AND SANGGUNIANG
SENIOR CITIZENS and the official conduct of its members,
and such other officers of the sangguniang kabataan AND
SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS within [his] THEIR
jurisdiction;

(d) With the concurrence of the sangguniang kabataan
AND SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS, appoint from
among the members of the sangguniang kabataan AND
SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS, the secretary and
treasurer and such other officers as may be deemed necessary;
and

(©) Exercise such other powers and perform such other

duties and functions as may be prescribed by law or ordinance.

SECTION 12. Amendment of Section 432 of the Local Government

Code. — Section 432 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the


1 Local Government Code of 1991, is hereby further amended to read as

2 follows:

3 SECTION 432. Sangguniang Kabataan AND
4 SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS Secretary. — The
5 RESPECTIVE sangguniang kabataan AND
6 SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS secretary shall:

7 (a) Keep all records of the katipunan ng kabataan
8 AND SANGGUNIANG SENIOR’ CITIZENS and
9 sangguniang kabataan AND SANGGUNIANG SENIOR
10 CITIZENS;

ul (b) Prepare and keep the minutes of all meetings of the
2 katipunan ng kabataan AND SANGGUNIANG SENIOR
13 CITIZENS and sangguniang, kabataan AND
14 SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS;

15 (c) Prepare all forms necessary for the conduct of
16 registrations, elections, initiatives, referenda, or plebiscites, in
17 coordination with the barangay secretary and the COMELEC;
18 and

19 (d) Perform such other duties and discharge such other
20 functions as the chairman of the sangguniang kabataan AND
21 SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS may prescribe or
22 direct.

23 SECTION 13. Amendment of Section 433 of the Local Government

24 Code. — Section 433 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the


2

20

21

22

23

follows:

SECTION 433. Sangguniang Kabataan AND
SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS Treasurer. — The
RESPECTIVE sangguniang kabataan AND
SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS treasurer shall:

(a) Take custody of all sangguniang kabataan AND
SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS property and funds
not otherwise deposited with the city or municipal treasurer;

(b) Collect and receive contributions, monies,
materials, and all other resources intended for the sangguniang
kabataan AND SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS and
the katipunan ng kabataan AND KATIPUNAN NG SENIOR
CITIZENS;

(c) Disburse funds in accordance with an approved
budget of the sangguniang kabataan AND SANGGUNIANG
SENIOR CITIZENS;

(d) Certify to the availability of funds whenever
necessary;

(e) Submit to the sangguniang kabataan AND
SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS and to the
sangguniang barangay certified and detailed statements of

actual income and expenditures at the end of every month; and

Local Government Code of 1991, is hereby further amended to read as


1 (f) Perform such other duties and discharge such other

2 functions as the chairman of the sangguniang kabataan AND
3 SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS may direct.
4 SECTION 14. Amendment of Section 434 of the Local Government

5 Code. — Section 434 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the

6 Local Government Code of 1991, is hereby further amended to read as

7 follows:

8 SECTION 434. Privileges of Sangguniang Kabataan
9 AND SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS Officials. — The
10 RESPECTIVE sangguniang kabataan AND

aT SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS chairman shall have

12 the same privileges enjoyed by other sangguniang barangay
13 officials under this Code subject to such requirements and
14 limitations provided herein. During their incumbency,
15 sangguniang kabataan AND SANGGUNIANG SENIOR
16 CITIZENS officials shall be exempt from payment of tuition
17 and matriculation fees while enrolled in public tertiary schools,
18 including state colleges and universities. The National
19 Government shall reimburse said college or university the
20 amount of the tuition and matriculation fees: Provided, That, to
21 qualify for the privilege, the said officials shall enroll in a state
2 college or university within or nearest their area of jurisdiction.
23 SECTION 3. Amendment of Section 435 of the Local Government

24 Code. — Section 435 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the


1 Local Government Code of 1991, is hereby further amended to read as

2 follows:

3 SECTION 435. Succession and Filling of Vacancies. —
4 (a) In case a sangguniang kabataan OR SANGGUNIANG
5 SENIOR CITIZENS chairman refuses to assume office, fails
6 to qualify, is convicted of a felony, voluntarily resigns, dies, is
7 permanently incapacitated, is removed from office, or has been
8 absent without leave for more than three (3) consecutive
9 months, the sangguniang kabataan OR SANGGUNIANG
10 SENIOR CITIZENS member who obtained the next highest

1 number of votes in the election immediately preceding shall

2 assume the office of the chairman for the unexpired portion of
13 the term, and shall discharge the powers and duties, and enjoy
14 the rights and privileges appurtenant to the office. In case the
15 said member refuses to assume the position or fails to qualify,
16 the sangguniang kabataan OR SANGGUNIANG SENIOR
17 CITIZENS member obtaining the next highest number of votes
18 shall assume the position of the chairman for the unexpired
19 portion of the term.

20 (b) | Where two (2) or more sangguniang kabataan OR
21 SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS members obtained
22 the same next highest number of votes, the other sangguniang
23 kabataan OR SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS
24 members shall conduct an election to choose the successor to
25 the chairman from among the said members.


20

21

22

23

24

(c) After the vacancy shall have been filled, the
sangguniang kabataan OR SANGGUNIANG SENIOR
CITIZENS chairman shall call a special election to complete
the membership of said sanggunian. Such sangguniang
kabataan OR SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS
member shall hold office for the unexpired portion of the term
of the vacant seat.

(d) _ In case of suspension of the sangguniang kabataan
OR SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS chairman, the
successor, as determined in subsections (a) and (b) of this
section shall assume the position during the period of such

suspension.

SECTION 16. Amendment of Section 436 of the Local Government

follows:

CHAPTER IX.

Pederasyon ng mga Sangguniang Kabataan AND
SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS

SECTION 436. Pederasyon ng mga Sangguniang
Kabataan AND SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS. — (a)
There shall be an organization of all the pederasyon ng mga
sangguniang kabataan AND SANGGUNIANG SENIOR

CITIZENS to be known as follows:

Code. — Section 436 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the

Local Government Code of 1991, is hereby further amended to read as


—————————————————OOOeeeeeeeeeeeeEeEeEeEOEeES—EEOEOEOE—EEE—EEEeeeeeee

1 (1) In municipalities, pambayang pederasyon ng mga

2 sangguniang kabataan AND PAMBAYANG PEDERASYON
3 NG MGA SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS;

4 (2) In cities, panlungsod na pederasyon ng mga
5 sangguniang kabataan AND PANGLUNGSOD NA
6 PEDERASYON NG MGA SANGGUNIANG SENIOR
7 CITIZENS;

8 (3) In provinces, panlalawigang pederasyon ng mga
9 sangguniang, kabataan AND PANLALAWIGANG
10 PEDERASYON NG MGA SANGGUNIANG SENIOR
Wu CITIZENS,

2 (4) In special metropolitan political subdivisions,
13 pangmetropolitang pederasyon ng mga sangguniang kabataan
14 AND PANGMETROPOLITANG PEDERASYON NG
15 MGA SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS; and

16 (5) On the national level, pambansang pederasyon ng
7 mga sangguniang kabataan AND PAMBANSANG
18 PEDERASYON NG MGA SANGGUNIANG SENIOR
19 CITIZENS.

20 (b) The pederasyon ng mga sangguniang kabataan
21 AND PEDERASYON NG MGA SANGGUNIANG SENIOR
22 CITIZENS shall, at all levels, elect from among themselves the
23 president, vice-president and such other officers as may be
24 necessary and shall be organized in the following manner:


(1) The panlungsod and pambayang pederasyon shall
be composed of the sangguniang kabataan AND
SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS chairmen of
barangays in the city or municipality, respectively;

(2) The panlalawigang pederasyon shall be composed
of presidents of the panlungsod and pambayang pederasyon;

(3) The pangmetropolitang pederasyon shall be
composed of presidents of the panlungsod and pambayang
pederasyon;

(c) The elected presidents of the pederasyon at the
provincial, highly urbanized city, and metropolitan political
subdivision levels shall constitute the pambansang katipunan ng
mga sangguniang kabataan AND PAMBANSANG

KATIPUNAN NG MGA SENIOR CITIZENS.

SECTION 17. Amendment of Section 437 of the Local Government
Code. — Section 437 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the
Local Government Code of 1991, is hereby further amended to read as

follows:

20

21

22

23

24

SECTION 437. — Constitution and By-Laws. — The
term of office, manner of election, removal and suspension of
the officers of the pederasyon ng mga sangguniang kabataan
AND PEDERASYON NG MGA SANGGUNIANG SENIOR
CITIZENS at all levels shall be governed by the constitution

and by-laws of the pederasyon in conformity with the


provisions of this Code and national policies on youth AND

SENIOR CITIZENS.

SECTION 18. Amendment of Section 438 of the Local Government
Code. — Section 438 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the
Local Government Code of 1991, is hereby further amended to read as

follows:

20

21

22

23

24

SECTION 438. — Membership in the Sanggunian. — (a)
A sangguniang kabataan AND SANGGUNIANG SENIOR
CITIZENS chairman shall, upon certification of his election by
the COMELEC and during his tenure of office is elected as
pederasyon president, serve as an ex officio member of the
sangguniang panlalawigan, sangguniang panlungsod, and
sangguniang bayan, as the case may be, without need of further
appointment.

(b) The vice-president of the pederasyon whose
president has been elected as president of a higher pederasyon
shall serve as ex officio member of the sanggunian concerned
without need of further appointment.

(c) The pederasyon president or vice-president, as the
case may be, OF THE SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN shall
be the chairman of the committee on youth and sports
development, WHILE THAT OF THE SANGGUNIANG
SENIOR CITIZENS SHALL BE THE CHAIRMAN OF

SENIOR CITIZENS AFFAIRS of the sanggunian concerned.


1

SECTION 19. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act, or
any parts thereof, is declared unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the
validity and effectivity of the other portions.

SECTION 20. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders,
presidential decrees, proclamations, rules, regulations, issuances and
enactments of parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly.

SECTION 21. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15)
days from its complete publication in the Official Gazette of in a newspaper
of general circulation in the Philippines, whichever comes earlier.

APPROVED.