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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 4022

Introduced by Representative Estrellita B. Suansing

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Section 9 Article II of the 1987 Philippine Constitution states that, "The State shall
promote a just and dynamic social order that will ensure the prosperity and independence of
the nation and free the people from poverty through policies that provide adequate social
services, promote full employment, a rising standard of living, and an improved quality of life
for all.”

Sections 10 and 11, it is further declared that the State shall provide social justice in
all phases of national development and that the State values the dignity of every human
person and guarantees full respect for human rights.

Republic Act No. 9994, also known as the Expanded Senior Citizens Act, recognizes
the contributions of our senior citizens to nation building and that they are considered as
“integral part of the Philippine society,” and fulfils the right of elderly citizens to “adequate
food, water, shelter, clothing and health care through the provision of income, family and
community support and self-help.”*

Numerous issues and complaints arising from the non-compliance of certain
establishments concerning the granting of benefits provided under said law have reached the
offices of concerned government agencies.

For instance, the spirit of the law in granting 5% discount to a senior citizen on the
monthly utilization of water and electricity has been hampered because of Section 4 (c) of R.A.
No, 9994 limits its application to those senior citizens whose consumption does not exceed
100 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity and 30 cubic meters (m*) of water, making those senior
citizens exceeding the prescribed limitations no longer entitled to the 5% discount.

Thus, this bill seeks to amend this law and apply the 5% discount to the first 150 kWh
of electricity and the first 50 m? of water. Furthermore, their utility fees shall also be exempted
from Value Added Tax (VAT).

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

SSTRELLITA B. SUANSING

+ United Nations Principles for Older Persons. Adopted by General Assembly resolution 46/91 of 16 December 1991


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

4022

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative Estrellita B. Suansing

AN ACT
AMENDING SECTION 4 (C) OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9994, 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. 9994, otherwise known as the
Expanded Senior Citizens’ Act of 2010, is hereby amended to read as follows

“SEC. 4. Privileges for the Senior Citizens. - The senior citizens
shall be entitled to the following:

XXX.

“(o) the grant of a minimum of five percent (5%) discount ON THE
FIRST ONE HUNDRED FIFTY KILOWATT HOURS (100 KWH) AND ON
THE FIRST FIFTY CUBIC METERS (50 M®) relative to [the] THEIR
monthly utilization of water and electricity supplied by public utilities, AND
EXEMPTION FROM THE VALUE ADDED TAX (VAT): Provided, 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 kilowatt hours (100 kWh) of
electricity and thirty cubic meters (30 m°) of water] AND Provided,
furthermore, That the privilege is grated per household regardless of the
number of senior citizens residing therein;”

SECTION 2. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within thirty (30) days from
its enactment, the concerned named agencies under Republic Act No. 9994 shall promulgate
the implementing rules and regulations necessary for the effective implementation of this Act.

SECTION 3. Separability Clause. — Should any of the provisions of this Act be held
unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in full
force and effect


1 SECTION 4, Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
2. publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation

3 Approved,