Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL no.6037
Introduced by HONORABLE STELLA LUZ A. QUIMBO

AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING A TEN PERCENT BUDGETARY ALLOCATION OF
BARANGAYS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PROGRAMS, PROJECTS,
ACTIVITIES, AND SERVICES FOR SENIOR CITIZENS, AMENDING FOR THIS
PURPOSE THE PERTINENT PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7160
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE” AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Based on the Census of Population and Housing Report, there are
approximately 7.55 million senior citizens in the Philippines as of 2015,
making up 7.4 percent of the population. A study by the Philippine Institute
for Development Studies estimates that this proportion will increase to 11.4
percent by 2030 and 15.9 percent by 2045.! These numbers underscore the
significance of implementing programs and projects for our senior citizens.

Senior citizens continue to engage in economic activity, even in their
old age. According to the 2016 Labor Force Survey (LFS), 45 percent of senior
citizens reported to be employed, and hence, continue to contribute to nation-
building. Moreover, within Filipino families, senior citizens provide childcare,
an important factor contributing to labor force participation by younger
individuals. Grandparents often taking on the responsibility of childcare frees
up other family members for outside work without compromising child
welfare. According to the 2016 LFS, 22 percent of households with members
who are OFWs are headed by senior citizens and have children left behind.
This suggests senior citizens provide critically needed child care for those left
behind by OFW parents.

It is the duty of the government to improve the welfare of its people,
especially those most in need. Senior citizens face a higher likelihood of
disease and medical expenses. According to the 2017 National Demographic
and Health Survey, 31 percent of senior citizens reported illness in the last
month. This is 17.5 percentage points higher than the same proportion for
individuals below 60 years old. As a result, senior citizens are vulnerable to
financial risks arising from illness, and hence, vulnerable to poverty.

" Reyes, et al. (2019). Silver Linings for Elderly in the Philippines. Philippine Institute for Development Studies.


Republic Act No. 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 was
passed to amplify the constitutional mandate of giving priority to senior
citizens in the provision of social services, and necessitates the provision of
agency budgets, including for local government units, for plans, programs,
projects, and activities intended for senior citizens. In support of this, the
Department of Interior and Local Government passed Memorandum Circular
2014-59 which encourages Local Chief Executives to allocate one percent (1%)
of their respective budgets for this purpose.

To institutionalize this mandate, this bill seeks to authorize the
allocation of ten percent (10%) of the total internal revenue allotment for
barangays for the implementation of plans, programs, projects, activities, and
services for senior citizens. With the expedient approval of this bill, the State
will have increased capacity to promote the welfare of our senior citizens.

In view thereof, the approval of this bill strongly recommended.

LUZ A. QUIMBO
epresentative
Second District, Marikina City


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

6037
HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by HONORABLE STELLA LUZ A. QUIMBO

AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING A TEN PERCENT BUDGETARY
ALLOCATION OF BARANGAYS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF
PROGRAMS, PROJECTS, ACTIVITIES, AND SERVICES FOR SENIOR
CITIZENS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE THE PERTINENT
PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7160 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
“LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE” AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

Srction 1. Allocation for Programs for Senior Citizens. - Section 285 of
Republic Act No. 7160 is hereby amended with the insertion of a new proviso,

as follows:

“Section 285. Allocation to Local Government Units - The share of local
government units in the internal revenue allotment shall be allocated

in the following manner:

XXX

PROVIDED, THAT TEN PERCENT (10%) OF THE TOTAL INTERNAL
REVENUE ALLOTMENT ALLOCATED TO THE BARANGAYS SHALL
BE USED FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PROGRAMS, PROJECTS,
ACTIVITIES, AND SERVICES FOR SENIOR CITIZENS.”


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Section 2. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of
Interior and Local Government shall promulgate the necessary rules and
regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

SgcTIon 3. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional or invalid, the remainder of the provisions thereof not

affected shall remain in force and effect.
Section 4. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules, regulations,
ordinances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby
repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 5. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days

upon its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,