ORIGINAL COPY

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No,__ 412

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 modem 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 the bill is earnestly sought.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No,__ 41.2

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE 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. 7610, 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 in Congress
assembled.

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Sangguniang Senior
Citizens Act of 2013”.

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — It 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

"CHAPTER Vili

Sangguniang Kabataan AND SANGGUNIANG SENIOR
CITIZENS

SECTION 423. Creation and Election. — (a) There shall be in

every barangay a sangguniang kabaiaan 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:

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“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
east 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:

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SECTION 426. Powers and Functions of the Sangguniang
Kabataan AND SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS, — ‘he
sangguniang kabataan AND SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS
shall:

(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 shail 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;

it3) Consult and coordinate with all youth AND SENIOR
CITIZENS organizations in the barangay for policy formulation and

program implementation;


i {g) Coordinate with the appropriate national agency for the

2 implementation of youth AND SENIOR CITIZENS development

3 projects and programs at the national level;

4 (h) Exercise such other powers and perform such other duties

5 and functions as the sangguniang barangay may determine or delegate or

6 as may be prescribed by law or ordinance.

7 SECTION 7. Amendment of Section 427 of the Local Government Code. —

8 Section 427 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code

9 of 1991, is hereby further amended to read as follows:

10 Meetings of the Sangguniang Kabataan
i AND SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS. — The sangguniang

12 kabataan AND SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS shall meet

13 regularly once a month on the date, time, and place to be fixed by the said

14 RESPECTIVE sanggunian. Special meetings may be called by the

15 sangguniang Kabataan AND SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS

16 chairman or any TWO (2) {three (3)] of its members by giving written

7 notice to all members of the date, time, place and agenda of the meeting at

18 least one (1) day in advance. Notices of regular or special meetings shall

19 be furnished the punong barangay and the sangguniang barangay

20 A majority of the members of the sangguniang kabataan AND

21 SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS shall constitute a quorum.

2 SECTION 8. Amendment of Section 428 of the Local Government Code.

23 Section 428 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code

24 — of 1991, is hereby further amended to read as follows:

25 SEC. 428. Qualifications. — An elective official of the
26 sangguniang Kabataan AND SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS
27 must be a Filipino citizen, a qualified voter of the katipunan ng kabataan
28 AND SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS, a resident of the barangay
29 for at least one (1) year immediately prior to election, at least fifteen (15)


I years but less than eighteen (18) years of age on the day of the election

ee FOR THE SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN AND SIXTY (60) YEARS

3 OF AGE OR MORE FOR SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS,

4 able to read and write Filipino, English, or the local dialect, and must not

5 have been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude.”

6 SECTION 9. Amendment of Section 429 of the Local Government Code. —

7 Section 429 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code

8 of 1991, is hereby further amended to read as follows:

9 “SECTION 429. Term of Office. — The sangguniang kabataan

10 AND SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS chairman and members

I shall hold office for a period of three (3) years, unless sooner removed for

12 cause as provided by law, permanently incapacitated, die or resign from

13 office.

I4 SECTION 10. Amendment of Section 430 of the Local Government Code. —

15 Section 430 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code

16 of 1991, is hereby further amended to read as follows:

7 SECTION 430. Sangguniang Kabataan AND
18 SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS Chairman. — The registered
19 voters of the katipunan ng kabataan AND KATIPUNAN NG SENIOR
20 CITIZENS shall elect the chairman of the sangguniang kabataan AND
2 SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS who shall BOTH automatically
22 serve as {an| ex officio memberS of the sangguniang barangay upon [his]
2B THEIR assumption to office. As such, he] THEY shall exercise the
24 same powers, discharge the same duties and fisnctions, and enjoy the same
25 privileges as the regular sangguniang barangay members, and shall be the
26 chairman of the committee on youth and sports development AND
ba COMMITTEE ON SENIOR CITIZES AFFAIRS, RESPECTIVELY.
28 in the said sanggunian.”


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SECTION 11. Amendment of Section 431 of the Local Government Code. —
Section 431 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code

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

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

SANGGUNIANG §

HOR 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;

(©) 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;

(4) 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.


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SECTION 12. Amendment of Section 432 of the Local Government Code. -
Section 432 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code
of 191, is hereby further amended to read as follows:

SECTION 432. Sangguniang Kabataan AND
SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS Secretary. += — ‘The
RESPECTIVE sangguniang kabataan AND SANGGUNIANG SENIOR
CITIZENS secretary shall:

(a) Keep all records of the katipunan ng kabataan AND
SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS and sangguniang kabataan AND

SANG

SUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS;
(b) Prepare and keep the minutes of all meetings of the

katipunan ng kabataan AND SANGGUNIANG

NIOR CITIZENS
and sangguniang kabataan AND SANGGUNIANG SENIOR
CITIZENS;

(©) Prepare all forms necessary for the conduct of registrations,
clections, initiatives, referenda, or plebiscites, in coordination with the
barangay secretary and the COMELEC; and

(a) Perform such other duties and discharge such other
functions as the chairman of the sangguniang Kabataan AND
SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS may prescribe or direct.

SECTION 13. Amendment of Section 433 of the Local Government Code. ~
Section 433 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code
of 1991, is hereby further amended (o read as follows

SECTION 433. Sangguniang Kabataan AND
SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS Treasurer. ihe
RESPECTIVE sangguniang kabataan AND SANGGUNIANG SENIOR

CITIZENS treasurer shall:


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

(>) 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;

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

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

(©) 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

( Perform such other duties and discharge such other
functions as the chairman of the sangguniang kabataan AND

SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS may direct.

SECTION 14. Amendment of Section 434 of the Local Government Code. —

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

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

chairman shall have the same privileges enjoyed by other sangguniang

barangay officials under this Code subject to such requirements and
limitations provided herein. During their incumbency, sangguniang
kabataan AND SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS officials shall be
exempt from payment of tuition and matriculation fees while enrolled in

public tertiary schools, including state colleges and universities. The

Section 434 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code


‘National Government shall reimburse said college or university the

amount of the tuition and matriculation fees: Provided, That, to qualify for

the privilege, the said officials shall enroll in a state college or university

within or nearest their area of jurisdiction.

SECTION 3. Amendment of Section 435 of the Local Government Code.
Section 435 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code

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

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SECTION 435, Succession and Filling of Vacancies. — (a) In case
a sangguniang Kabataan OR SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS
chairman refuses to assume office, fails to qualify, is convieted of a
felony, voluntarily resigns, dies, is permanently incapacitated, is removed
from office, or has been absent without leave for more than three (3)
consecutive months, the sangguniang kabataan OR SANGGUNIANG
SENIOR CITIZENS member who obtained the next highest number of
votes in the election immediately preceding shall assume the office of the
chairman for the unexpired portion of the term, and shall discharge the
powers and duties, and enjoy the rights and privileges appurtenant to the
office. In case the said member refuses to assume the position or fails to
qualify, the sangguniang Kabataan OR SANGGUNIANG SENIOR
CITIZENS member obtaining the next highest number of votes shall
assume the position of the chairman for the unexpired portion of the term.

(b) | Where two (2) or more sangguniang kabataan OR

UNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS members obtained the same
next highest number of voies, the other sangguniang kabataan OR
SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS members shall conduct an
election to choose the successor to the chairman from among the said
members.

(©) 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.

(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 Code. ~
Section 436 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code

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

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CHAPTER 1X,

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 CIT!

NS to be known as follows:

(1) In municipalities, pambayang pederasyon ng mga
sangguniang kabataan AND PAMBAYANG PEDERASYON NG MGA
SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS;

(2) In cities, panlungsod na pederasyon ng mga sangguniang
Kabataan AND PANGLUNGSOD NA PEDERASYON NG MGA.
SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS;

(3) In provinces, panfalawigang pederasyon ng mga
sangguniang kabataan AND PANLALAWIGANG PEDERASYON NG
MGA SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS:

(4) In special metropolitan political _ subdivisions,

Pangmetropolitang pederasyon ng mga sangguniang Kabataan AND


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PANGMETROPOLITANG = PEDERASYON NG = MGA
SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS; and

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

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

(1) The paniungsod 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 panialawigang pederasyon shall be composed of
presidents of the pankmngsod and pambayang pederasyon;

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

(©) 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.

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

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

Section 437 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code


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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:

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.

(©) The pederasyon president or vice-president, as the case

SUNIANG KABATAAN shall be the chairman

may be, OF THE SAN

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.

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. Effectiv

- 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.