Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 4578

Introduced by the Honorable Precious Hipolito Castelo

EXPLANATORY NOTE

In 2010, Republic Act No. 9994 or the “Expanded Senior Citizens Act” was enacted. This
landmark legislation provided more benefits to senior citizens, which include, among others,
the promotion of employing senior citizens in the private sector by awarding tax incentives to
private entities who are willing to take them in as employees.

Further, Republic Act No. 10911 or the “Anti-Age Discrimination in Employment Act” which
was enacted more recently in 2016, provided an overall and general framework to prevent and
penalize “ageism” or age discrimination in employment, save for certain exceptions, such as
when age is a bona fide occupational qualification in the normal operation of a particular
business.

Nonetheless, while these laws exist, it cannot be denied that there is still a dearth in
employment opportunities to senior citizens in the public and private sector.

Global life expectancy has been steadily increasing over the years. Whether this be the result
of advances in medical technology and science, surely, the effect is — senior citizens get to
experience more of their twilight years. Thus, the need to institutionalize an employment
program for the elderly is imperative in order to allow them to still be productive members of
society when they still can.

There are studies to prove that older workers fare better in some respects as compared to
their younger counterparts, in terms of performance in the workplace. For instance, the
American Association of Retired Persons found that older workers possesses the following
qualities and skills: 1) reliability and strong work ethic; 2) varied work experience; 3) lower
absenteeism; 4) more job loyalty; 5) eagerness to learn new skills and a positive attitude; and
5) strong people and customer service skills."

Further, more and more countries have been embracing the elderly as valuable members of
the labor sector through the creation of public policy that encourages them to stay employed
if they still can, and want, to eam a living. Notable examples are the countries of Japan,
Germany, United States and Singapore where the employment of the elderly has become the
“new normal’?

‘As such, it is the objective of this proposed measure to make it easier for willing and able
senior citizens to seek employment or stay employed beyond their retirement age by requiring

4 nttps://www.allbusiness.com/the-potential-benefits-of-hiring-seniors-and-retirees-16226171-1.html
2 https://www.forbes.com/sites/nextavenue/2018/05/10/how-these-3-countries-embrace-older-workers/#28dafdBaibd4


both public and private entities to institutionalize an employment program specifically for senior
citizens.

In view of the foregoing, immediate consideration a this bill is earnestly sought.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. #528

Introduced by the Honorable Precious Hipolito Castelo

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES TO SENIOR CITIZENS BY
MANDATING THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR TO INSTITUTIONALIZE A SENIOR
CITIZENS EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as the “Senior Citizens Employment
Program Act’.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. It is the declared policy of the State to 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. As such, the State
shall:

(1) Establish mechanisms whereby the contributions of the senior citizens are
maximized;

(2) Adopt measures whereby our senior citizens are assisted and appreciated by the
‘community as a whole;

(3) Establish a program beneficial to the senior citizens, their families and the rest of
the community they serve; and

(4) Establish community-based health and rehabilitation programs for senior citizens in
every political unit of society.

SEC. 3. Senior Citizens Employment Program. All public and private entities shall be
mandated to institutionalize an employment program specifically for senior citizens who are
still willing, able, and qualified to be employed.

SEC. 4. Exceptions. Entities may apply for exemption from this Act with the
Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) or the Civil Service Commission (CSC)
whenever:

(a) Age is a bona fide occupational qualification reasonably necessary in the normal
operation of a particular business or where the differentiation is based on reasonable
factors other than age;

(b) The intent is to observe the terms of a bona fide seniority system that is not intended
to evade the purpose of this Act;

(c) The intent is to observe the terms of a bona fide employee retirement or a voluntary
early retirement plan consistent with the purpose of this Act: Provided, That such


retirement or voluntary retirement plan is in accordance with the Labor Code, as
amended, and other related laws; or

(d) The action is duly certified by the Secretary of Labor and Employment or the
Chairperson of the CSC, as the case may be, in accordance with the purpose of this
Act.

SEC. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The DOLE and CSC shall issue the
necessary rules and regulations as may be necessary to implement this Act.

SEC. 6. Separability Clause. If any portion or provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provisions not affected thereby shall remain
in force and effect.

SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order,
letter of instruction, rule or regulation inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby
repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 8. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its complete
publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation or in the Official Gazette.

Approved,