SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE } Soc 15
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES }
Third Regular Session } 1g UL I9 P3595

SENATE REL! a

8.B. No. 1881

INTRODUCED BY SENATOR VICENTE C. SOTTO III

AN ACT
CREATING THE NATIONAL COMMISSION OF SENIOR CITIZENS,
PROVIDING FOR ITS FUNCTIONS, ABOLISHING THE NATIONAL
COORDINATING COUNCIL AND MONITORING BOARD, AMENDING
FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7432, AS AMENDED, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The declaration of policies and objectives of the State under Article
XV, Section 4 of the Constitution states that it is the duty of the family to
take care of its elderly members while the State may design programs of

social security for them.

According to the Commission on Population, the Philippines is close to
having an aging population, which is marked by at least 7 percent of the
population aged 65 years or older. By year-end 2018 there will be 8,013,059
Filipinos over 60, constituting 8.2% of Filipinos. Of this group, 5,082,049
will be 65 and older. Most countries are considered aging if they have at

least 7% of the population over 65 years old. !

* hnttp://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/03/18/philippines-moving-toward-aging-population-popcom



Filipinos have close family ties and the senior members of the family
often continue to support and provide for the family as long as they can. In
this way, they find a strong sense of purpose, importance and fulfillment in
this latter part of their lives. Also, being able to take care of themselves and
not be a burden to their family brings them pride and self-actualization.

It is imperative to safeguard their rights and ensure the proper
execution of programs for their wellbeing. By establishing a commission
solely for the senior citizens, we will be assured that their rights are
protected, the implementation of the programs will be closely monitored and
the development of suitable programs will be in effect.

Thus, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

ICENTE C. SOTTO III



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE }
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES }
Third Regular Session } 18 JUL 19 P355

SENATE ;
spn. 188)“ *

INTRODUCED BY SENATOR VICENTE C. SOTTO III

AN ACT
CREATING THE NATIONAL COMMISSION OF SENIOR CITIZENS,
PROVIDING FOR ITS FUNCTIONS, ABOLISHING THE NATIONAL
COORDINATING COUNCIL AND MONITORING BOARD, AMENDING
FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7432, AS AMENDED, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines

assembled:

1 SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as The National

Commission of Senior Citizens Act.

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to adopt
measures whereby our senior citizens are assisted and appreciated by the
community as a whole, provide services and activities beneficial to senior
citizens, their families and the communities they serve, and establish
community-based health and rehabilitation, educational, and  socio-

economic programs for all senior citizens.

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iW Consistent with this policy, the State shall promote the advocacy of
12 and collaboration between different stakeholders and senior citizens to

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ensure the effective implementation of various programs and services,
particularly on development of senior citizens, advancing health and well-
being into old age, and ensuring a supportive and enabling environment for
the elderly.

SECTION 3. Creation of the National Commission of Senior Citizens. -
There is hereby created the National Commission of Senior Citizens,
hereinafter referred to as the Commission, and which shall be under the
Office of the President. The Commission shall establish its principal office in
the National Capital Region and it may establish field offices in coordination

with appropriate government agencies.

SECTION 4. Composition. - The Commission shall be composed of a
Chairperson and six (6) Commissioners and shall act as a collegial body.
The Chairperson shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Commission. The
six (6) Commissioners shall represent different geographical regions of the
Philippines and shall hold office in their respective regions; Provided, That
the full Commission shall meet at least once every month.

SECTION 5. Term of Office. - The Chairperson and Commissioners
shall have a term of office of six (6) years, without prejudice to
reappointment by the President. Of those first appointed, the Chairperson
and two (2) Commissioners shall hold office for six (6) years, two (2)
Commissioners shall hold office for four (4) years, and two (2)
Commissioners shall hold office for two (2) years, respectively. Appointment

to any vacancy shall only be for the unexpired term of the predecessor.

SECTION 6. Qualifications. - The members of the Commission must be
citizens and residents of the Philippines; at least sixty (60) years old at the
time of their appointment, of good moral character, bona fide members of
senior citizens associations, holders of a college degree or have relevant
experience in the affairs of senior citizens, of good health and sound mind,
not have been convicted by a final judgment of a crime involving moral

turpitude, and recommended by a general assembly of senior citizens



organizations: Provided, That at least two (2) Commissioners shall be

women.

SECTION 7. Functions. - The Commission shall:

a) Ensure the full implementation of laws, policies, and programs of the
government pertaining to senior citizens, review and conduct studies on the
same, and recommend appropriate actions thereon to Congress and the
President;

b) Formulate policies for the promotion and protection of the rights and
well-being of senior citizens;

c) Appoint the heads of the Office for Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA)

and exercise supervision and control over the OSCA in the implementation

of programs and activities for senior citizens;

¢) Conduct information, education, and communication campaigns to
raise awareness on the rights of senior citizens;

f) Establish and maintain cooperation and consultations with local
government units and national government agencies on all matters
pertaining to the general welfare of senior citizens;

g) Represent the Philippines in international functions, forums, or
conferences on senior citizens and establish and maintain linkages with the
international senior citizen or senior citizen-serving institutions or
organizations and counterpart government agencies of other states;

h) Constitute and convene when necessary, an advisory body to be
composed of such representatives from the government, non-government
organizations, civil society, and the private sector, as the Commission may
deem appropriate, to assist it in the performance of its functions;

i) Develop appropriate mechanisms and procedures for the selection
and nomination of the members of the Commission for appointment by the
President; and

j) Perform such other actions and functions for the promotion of the

welfare of senior citizens, as may be directed by the President.



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SECTION 8. Organizational Structure. - Subject to the approval of the
Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the Commission shall
determine its organizational structure and staffing pattern, create offices,
divisions, or units as it may deem necessary, and appoint its officers and
employees in accordance with civil service laws, rules and regulations. The
remuneration structure for the positions in the staffing pattern shall strictly
conform to Republic Act No. 6758, otherwise known as the Salary
Standardization Law, as amended.

SECTION 9. Executive Director. - The Commission shall appoint an
Executive Director, who shall be a Career Executive Service Officer and shall
have at least five (5) years of relevant experience in any of the following
fields: law; economics; commerce; management; social services, or finance.

The Executive Director shall be responsible for implementing the
Policies, rules, regulations and directives of the Commission, the
management of the Commission’s daily operations, and for coordinating and
supervising the activities of the different offices, divisions, and units of the

Commission.

SECTION 10. Abolition of the National Coordinating and Monitoring
Board. - The National Coordinating and Monitoring Board created by virtue
of Republic Act No. 9994, otherwise known as Expanded Senior Citizens Act
of 2010 is hereby abolished.

SECTION 11. Appropriations. - The amounts necessary for the initial
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the Contingent Fund of
the General Appropriations Act (GAA) for the current fiscal year. Thereafter,
the amounts necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be included
in the annual GAA.

SECTION 12. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Commission,
after due consultation with the DBM, Department of Social Welfare and
Development, Department of the Interior and Local Government, League of


Cities of the Philippines, League of Municipalities of the Philippines, and
other stakeholders, shall promulgate the rules and regulations for the
effective implementation of this Act, within one hundred eighty (180) days

from its effectivity.

SECTION 13. Separability Clause. -If any part or provision hereof not
affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 14. Repealing Clause. - Section 11 of Republic Act No. 7432,
as amended by Republic Act No. 9257 and further amended by Republic Act
No. 9994, is hereby repealed. All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations, and other issuances, or parts thereof, that are inconsistent with
the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 15. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
from its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general
circulation.

Approved,