Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
‘Quezon City, Metro Manila

20" CONGRESS
Ast Regular Session

wouse ou nod 484 ~

Introduced by Representative SITTIE SHAHARA “BAI DIMPLE” I. MASTURA

AN ACT
EXPANDING EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR SENIOR CITIZENS AND PROVIDING FOR
ADDITIONAL INCENTIVES TO PRIVATE ENTITIES, FURTHER AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC
ACT NO 7432, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED “AN ACT TO MAXIMIZE THE CONTRIBUTION OF SENIOR
CITIZENS TO NATION BUILDING, GRANT BENEFITS AND SPECIAL PRIVILEGES AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES”

EXPLANATORY NOTE

On November 19, 2024, the House of Representatives approved on 3" and Final Reading House Bill
No. 10985, in substitution of House Bills Numbered 1505, 1920, 2252, 2284, 2384, 5473, 8972 and
1368; principally authored by Representatives Florida P. Robes, Alfred C. delos Santos, Stella Luz A
Quimbo, Eduardo C. Villanueva, Paolo Z. Duterte, Eric Go Yap, Edvic G. Yap, Jeffrey Soriano, Ernesto M.
Dionisio, Jr., Erwin T. Tulfo, Jocelyn P. Tulfo, Ralph Wendell P. Tulfo and this humble representation
respectively.

However, for lack of material time, the Senate Committees on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural
Development; Labor, Employment and Human Resources Development and Ways and Means failed to
act on this measure and was in effect archived at the close of the 19" Congress on June 13, 2025.

This representation is refiling HB10985 in due recognition of the need to unremittingly pursue the
greater interest and welfare of senior citizens by extending employment opportunities to those who
are able and willing to be employed; further providing that laws such as Republic Act No. 10911
otherwise known as the “Anti-Age Discrimination in Employment Act”, and all other applicable rules
and regulations shall have suppletory relevance and use in the employment of senior citizens to
address gaps where they exist.

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


Republic of the Phili
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
‘Quezon City, Metro Manila

20" CONGRESS
st Regular Session

wouse sus wo.3 484

Introduced by Representative SITTIE SHAHARA “BAl DIMPLE” I. MASTURA

AN ACT
EXPANDING EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR SENIOR CITIZENS AND PROVIDING FOR
ADDITIONAL INCENTIVES TO PRIVATE ENTITIES, FURTHER AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC
‘ACT NO 7432, AS AMENDED, ENTITLED “AN ACT TO MAXIMIZE THE CONTRIBUTION OF SENIOR
CITIZENS TO NATION BUILDING, GRANT BENEFITS AND SPECIAL PRIVILEGES AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES”

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representotives of the Philippines in Congress
Assembled:

SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the “Employment Opportunities for Senior
Citizens and Private Entities’ Incentives Act.”

SEC. 2 Itis the policy of the State to promote the interest and welfare of senior citizens
by providing opportunities for gainful employment and by granting additional incentives to
private entities that employ senior citizens.

SEC. 3. Section 5 of Republic Act No. 7432 as amended by Republic Act No. 9257,
otherwise known as “Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2003” and Republic Act No. 9994,
otherwise known as “Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010", is hereby further amended to
read as follows:

“SEC. 5. Government Assistance. — The government shall provide the following:

“{a)__ Employment

“Senior Citizens who have the capacity and desire to work, or be
reemployed, shall be provided information and matching services OF
AVAILABLE JOB OPPORTUNITIES BY THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND
EMPLOYMENT (DOLE) THROUGH THE PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT SERVICE
OFFICES, to enable them to be productive members of society. Terms of
employment shall conform with the provisions of the Labor Code, as amended,
and other laws, rules, and regulations.


“ALL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND PRIVATE ENTITIES SHALL
INSTITUTE AN EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM THAT PROMOTES THE GENERAL
WELL-BEING OF SENIOR CITIENS AND ENSURE ACCESS TO EMPLOYMENT
OPPORTUNITIES TO THOSE WHO HAVE THE QUALIFICATIONS, CAPACITY, AND
INTEREST TO BE EMPLOYED. THE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES SHALL
INCLUDE CLERICAL OR SECRETARIAL WORKS, CONSULTANCY, CLEANING OR
JANITORIAL SERVICES, EVENT ORGANIZING, TEACHING, KITCHEN HELP, SALES
ASSISTANCE, BUSINESS PROCESS OUTSOURCING, AND OTHER JOBS OR
VOLUNTEER WORKS.

“NOTHING IN THIS ACT SHALL PREVENT GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
AND PRIVATE ENTITIES FROM HIRING QUALIFIED SENIOR CITIZENS FOR
CONSULTANCY AND OTHER SIMILAR ARRANGEMENTS, OR FROM INITIATING
OR PROVIDING GREATER BENEFITS, OR IMPROVING THE WORKING
CONDITIONS, OR TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT OF SENIOR CITIZENS BEYOND THE
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS PROVIDED BY APPLICABLE LAWS.

“Private entities that SHALL employ senior citizens as employees, upon
the effectivity of this Act, shall be entitled to an additional deduction from their
gross income, equivalent to TWENTY-FIVE PERCENT (25%) of the total amount
paid as salaries, wages, BENEFITS, AND TRAININGS PROVIDED, to senior
citizens, subject to the provision of Section 34 of the NIRC, as amended:
Provided, however, That such employment shall continue for a period of at least
six (6) months.

“The DOLE SHALL, in coordination with other government
agencies such as, the TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND SKILLS
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, THE Department of Trade and Industry
(DTI), AND THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION (CSC), assess, design,
implement, MONITOR AND EVALUATE, training programs that provide
skills and welfare or livelihood support for senior citizens.

“{b) x x x

“(xxx

“(d)x x x

w(e)x x x

“(fx xx

“{g)x x x

“(h) Additional Government Assistance

“()x x x

“(2)x xx

“(3)x xx

“(4) WAIVER OF FEES AND CHARGES. ALL GOVERNMENT
AGENCIES AND INSTRUMENTALITIES, INCLUDING GOVERNMENT-
OWNED AND CONTROLLED CORPORATIONS, LOCAL GOVERNMENT
UNITS, AND GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS SHALL NOT COLLECT FEES AND
CHARGES FROM SENIOR CITIZEN JOBSEEKERS FOR:

“(a) POLICE CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE;


“(b) NATIONAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION CLEARANCE;

“(c) BARANGAY CLEARANCE;

“(d) MEDICAL CERTIFICATE FROM A PUBLIC HOSPITAL:
PROVIDED, THAT FEES AND CHARGES FOR LABORATORY TESTS AND
OTHER MEDICAL PROCEDURES REQUIRED FOR THE GRANT OF A
MEDICAL CERTIFICATE SHALL NOT BE FREE OF CHARGE;

“(e) BIRTH CERTIFICATE;

“(f) MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE;

“(g) PROOFS OF IDENTIFICATION; AND

“(h) OTHER DOCUMENTS ISSUED BY THE GOVERNMENT THAT
MAY BE REQUIRED BY EMPLOYERS FROM JOB APPLICANTS.”

SEC. 4. Within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Department of Social
Welfare and Development and the DOLE shall, in coordination with the National Commission
of Senior Citizens, DTI, CSC, and other government agencies and stakeholders, issue the rules
and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 5. Republic Act No. 10911, otherwise known as the “Anti-Age Discrimination in
Employment Act” and all other applicable laws, rules and regulations shall have suppletory
application in cases involving employment of senior citizens not provided for under this Act.

SEC. 6. If any portion or provision of this Act is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the
remainder provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SEC. 7. All laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations, rules and regulations,
ordinances, other issuances or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with any provision of this
Act, are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

SEC. 8. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official
Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,