Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution  Hills, Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
H6usEBILLNo.   9131
INTRODUCED BY HON. RuWEL PETER S. GONZAGA
EXPLANATORY NOTE
In the recent workshop of National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) together
with the World  Health  Organization  (WHO),  as of July 2023,  NCSC  has  registered  2,274,
531  senior  citizens  aged  60  to  100  years  old  across  the  country.    Data  estimated  the
proportion  of Filipino aged  60 and  above will  increase from  7.4  percent in  2015 to  11.4
percent by 2030 and 15.9 percent by 2045.
However,  due  to  the  vulnerability  of  our  Senior  Citizens  who  are  prone  to  illness  and
medical  condition,  almost 59-62% of their income or  pension  is allotted  to their health
expenses.  The remaining percentage are for the continuity of expenses on their daily lives
such as utilities for electricity, water, cellphone or landline connectivity, and  internet bills.
Data  gathered  only 30%  of our senior citizens  in the country receive  pension  and  with
their  ballooning  population,  it  is  somehow  alarming.    Facts  shows  that  the  economic
condition of our country varies also the inflation rate which affect not only our economic
development, but also our citizens primarily the senior citizens.
This  bill  seeks  the  government  to  take  responsibility  in  protecting  and  further
amending  Republic Act  No.  7432,  as  amended  by  Republic Act 9257,  Republic Act.  No.
9994 and  Republic Act. No.11916.
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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Constitution Hills, Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
tiousE BILL No. 9EL
INTRODUCED HON. RUWEL PETER S. GONZAGA
AN ACT
INCREASING THE DISCOUNT RATE AND EXEMPTING  FROM THE VALUE ADDED
TAX THE MONTHLY ELECTRIC, WATER, LANDLINE OR CELLPHONE CONNECTIVITY
AND INTERNET ACCESS CONSUMPTION GRANTED TO SENIOR CITIZENS,
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE 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 4(c) of Republic Act No. 7432, as amended, is hereby further amended
to read as follows:
"SEC. 4.  Privileges for the Senior Citizens. -The senior citizens shall  be entitled to
the following:
XXX
(c) the grant of a minimum of FIFTEEN  PERCENT (15%) discount relative to
the monthly utilization of electricity, water, cellphone and landline connectivity and
internet access  supplied by the public utilities AND EXEMPTION  FROM THE VALUE
ADDED TAX rvAT); P7iovided, That the individual meters for the foregoing utilities
are registered in the name of the senior citizen residing therein; Provided, further,
That the monthly consumption does not exceed ONE  HUNDRED  FIFTY KILOWATT
HOURS   (150   kwh)   of  electricity  and   FIFTY  CuBIC   METERS   (50m3)   of  water;
ce]Iphone  and   landline  internet  plan  not  more  than  TWO  THOUSAND  PESOS
(P2000)   Priowt.did,  furfAermore,   That  the   privilege  is  granted   per   household
regardless of the number of senior citizens residing therein AND THE REGISTERED
SENIOR CITIZEN CONTINUES TO LIVE WITHIN THE HOUSEHOLD ADDRESS;
SECTION  2.  /mplemenfjng  Rules  and Regulafl.on.  Within  thirty  (30)  days  after the
effectivity of this Act,  the  National  Commission  of Senior Citizens  shall,  in  consultation
with the Energy Regulatory Commission, Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System
and  National  Telecommunication  Office  other  concerned  utility  regulatory  agencies,  as
well  as  national  organizations  of  senior  citizens,  promulgate  the  necessary  rules  and
regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.


SECTION   3.  Separabiljty  Cause.   If  any  provision  or  part  hereof  is  held   invalid  or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the  law or the  provision  not otherwise affected  shall
remain valid and subsisting.
SECTION   4.   Rapca!i.ng   Cawse.    All    laws,    presidential   decrees,    executive   orders,
proclamations   and/or   administrative   regulations   which   are   inconsistent   with   the
provisions of this Act are hereby amended, modified, superseded, or repealed accordingly.
SECTION   5.  £ffecfiwfty  C[awse.  This  Act  shall  take  effect  fifteen  (15)  days  from  its
publication in the Official Gazette or at least two (2) newspapers of national circulation.
Approved,