Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress

First Regular Session
House Bill No:_ 3647

Introduced by REP. MERCEDES C. CAGAS

EXPLANATORY NOTE
This bill seeks to provide additional benefits and privileges to all senior citizens.
Section 4. Article XV of the 1987 Constitution provides that

“Section 4. The Family has the duty to care for its elderly members but the
State may also do so through just programs of social security.”

Senior citizens have contfibuted to-our society during the prime of their lives. They
have sacrificed much so that we may now enjoy the fruits of their labor. In any culture,
respect for elders is paramount, Thts value should be reflected in our laws. While we may
have granted privileges in the past, itis still woefully inadequate considering the diminishing
number of senior citizens arid theig thinning time left to enjoy such rewards. Hence, this bill
seeks to further reward themrin theirgwilight years

While the amendments may'cover a comprehensive set of privileges, it is but a small
memento of our appreciation for their sacrifice. Discounts on court fees, vehicle registration
fees, real property tax, and PRC, renewal fees .are just small tokens for their usual
expenditures. Provision of free annual physical examination, parking, exemption from color-
coding and no-wait rule in establishments are also meant to ensure their enjoyment and
physical relaxation, All told, these benefits are economical ways of rewarding our senior
citizens and shows to the world what kind of people the Filipinos are,especially towards their
elders. . * 7

In view of the foregoing, passage of this bill is highly recommended.

MERCEDES C. CA



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

3647

House Bill No:

Introduced by REP. MERCEDES C. CAGAS

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR ADDITIONAL BENEFITS AND PRIVILEGES
TO SENIOR CITIZENS, 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 House of Represematives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Paragraph (¢), Section 4 of Republic Act No. 7432, as amended, is
hereby further amended to read as follows: :

“SECA. Privileges forthe Senior Ct The s¢ senior citizens will be entitled to the
following: <

(a) “(a) The grant of twenty percent (20%) discount and exempt on from the value-
added tax (VAT), if applicable, on the sale of the’ following goods and services
from all establishments, for the exclusive use and enjoyment or availment of
senior citizens:

(1) xxx
xxx 7 oe Xxx

(10) ON COURT FEES, LEGAL SERVICES AND ATTORNEY FEES IN ALL
CASES OF WHICH THEY ARE THE RESPONDENTS OR AGGRIEVED
PARTIES SUBJECF TO THE GUIDELINES TO BE ISSUED BY THE
SUPREME COURT OF THE PHILIPPINES.

(11) ON VEHICLE REGISTRATION FEES FOR THOSE OWNED BY SENIOR
CITIZENS.

(12) ON REAL PROPERTY TAX.

(13) ON RENEWAL OF PROFESSIONAL REGULATORY COMMISSION (PRC)
LICENCE


XXX XXX XXX

(c) free medical and dental services, diagnostic and laboratory [fees] TESTS, such as,
but not limited to, ANNUAL PHYSICAL EXAMINATION, x-rays, computerized
tomography scans, CARDIAC STRESS TEST, ENDOSCOPY, ULTRASOUND ON
KIDNEYS, URETER AND BLADDER, PULMONARY FUNCTION TEST and
blood test, INCLUDING PROFESSIONAL FEES OF ATTENDING PHYSICIANS,
in all government HEALTH CARE facilities, subject to the guidelines to be issued by
the DOH in coordination with the PhilHealth.

IN THE AVAILMENT OF THE ANNUAL PHYSICAL EXAMINATION,
THE INDIGENT SENIOR CITIZENS SHALL HAVE PREFERENCE OVER NON-
INDIGENT SENIOR CITIZENS IN THE ORDER THEY SHALL BE SERVED.

(f) FREE PARKING IN ALL COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENTS FOR
VEHICLES REGISTERED IN THEIR NAMES.

% (g) EXEMPTION FROM, COLOR-CODING OR VEHICULAR TRAFFIC
REDUCTION PROGRAMS OF THE GOVERNMENT FOR VEHICLES WHERE
SENIOR CITIZENS ARE PASSENGERS.

(h) NO-WAIT-RULE IN ALL ESTABLISHMENTS.
SEC.2. Section 1 } of the same Act, is her by amended to read as follows:

“See. 11, Appropriations ~ the necessary appropriations for the operation and
maintenance of the OSCA shall .be appropriated and approved by the LGUs
concerned. For naticnal government agencies, the requirements to implement the
pfovisions of this Act shall be included in their respective budgets: Provided, That the
funds to be used for the national health program, INCLUDING THE ANNUAL
PHYSICAL EXAMINATION, and for the vaccination of senior citizens in the first
yeat of implementations shall be adied to the regular appropriations of the DOH and
thereafter, as ‘a line item under the DOH budget in the subsequent General
Appropriations Act (GAA). Provided, further that the monthly social pension for
indigent senior citizens in the first year’ of implemetitation shall be added to the
regular appropriations of the DSWD and thereafter as a line item under tlie DSWD

budget inthe subsequent GAA.”

SEC3, The relevant government agencies shal draft “the necessary
Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) forthe effective implementation of this
Act.

SECA. This Act shall také effect Steen (13) days after publication in the
Official gazette or in twa (2) national newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,