Republic of the Philippines “as
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. CS @
Quezon City SS age eGR _
SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS \ out get

First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO._4734

Introduced by BAYAN MUNA Representative CARLOS ISAGANI T. ZARATE.

AN ACT GRANTING ADDITIONAL BENEFITS AND PRIVILEGES TO SENIOR

CITIZENS, FURTHER AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7432, AS AMENDED,

OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “AN ACT TO MAXIMIZE THE CONTRIBUTION OF
SENIOR CITIZENS TO NATION BUILDING, GRANT BENE AND SPECIAL
PRIVILEGES AND FOR OTHER PURPO!

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Republic Act No. 7432, as amended by Republic Act No. 9257 and Republic Act No. 9994,
otherwise known as “Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2003” and “Expanded Senior Citizens
‘Act of 2010” respectively, was enacted in fulfilment of the constitutional right of people to an
integrated and comprehensive health development.

In line with this right is the obligation of the government to make essential goods, health and
other social services available to the people at affordable cost with due priority to the
underprivileged, sick, elderly, disabled, women, and children as stated in Article XIII,
Section I of the 1987 Constitution.

Under the existing laws, food and medicines are already covered by the provision granting
20% discount and an exemption from the value-added tax (VAT) for senior citizens. In line
with the spirit of this law, this bill seeks to further amend Republic Act No. 7432, as amended
by Republic Act No, 9994, relating to the coverage of the 20% discount and exemption from
the value-added tax (VAT) by including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved
nutritional food and drinks in the said provision,

This proposed measure aims to help the elderly, most especially the underprivileged ones,
gain access to FDA-approved nutritional food and drinks. These products are usually costly
thus accessible only to a few.

‘These products have high potential for improving the health of our elderlies by boosting their
nutrition and aiding their digestion which are common concerns among the elderlies.

These nutritional food and drinks are also resorted to by older people to ease symptoms
related to illnesses like diabetes and hypertension, This kind of opportunity for health
development should be made accessible to every senior citizen.



‘This bill will update and enhance the original act by expanding its scope while putting in
mind the new options brought to us by new technological innovations towards improving the
total well-being of the elderly,

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

Approved,

s wd
Re} Tay T. ZARATE

Bayan Muna Party-List


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

4734

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by BAYAN MUNA Representative CARLOS ISAGANI T. ZARATE,

AN ACT GRANTING ADDITIONAL BENEFITS AND PRIVILEGES TO SENIOR
CITIZENS, FURTHER AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7432, AS AMENDED,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “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 Representatives of the Philippines
assembled:

in Congress

SECTION 1. Title- This Act shall be known as the “Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2017.”
SECTION 2. Section 2 of Republic Act No. 7432, as amended by Republic Act 9994,
otherwise known as the “Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010,” is hereby further amended
with subsection (i) to be added to read as follows:

SEC. 2. Definition of terms. - For purposes of this Act, these terms are defined as
follows:

"(@) Senior citizen or elderly refers to any resident citizen of the Philippines at
least sixty (60) years old;

XXX

“G@) NUTRITIONAL FOOD AND DRINKS, REFER TO ANY FOOD OR:
BEVERAGE PRODUCT APPROVED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG
ADMINISTRATION WHICH CONTAINS MICRONUTRIENTS AND
WERE FORMULATED TO MEET THE DIET OF SENIOR CITIZENS
AND INDIVIDUALS WHO SUFFER FROM POOR DIGESTION.
MALNUTRITION, OBESITY, RENAL PROBLEMS, AN, ILLNESSES
LIKE DIABETES, HYPERTENSION, CANCER AND OTHER
‘SIMILAR CASES,



SECTION 3. Section 4 of Republic Act No. 7432, as amended by Republic Act No. 9994,
otherwise known as “Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010”, is hereby further amended with
new subsection (a) (10) to be added to read as follows

. 4. Privileges for the Senior Citizens.~
‘The senior citizens shall be entitled to the following:

(a) the grant of twenty percent (20%) discount and exemption 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 the senior citizen

(1) on the purchase of medicines, including the purchase of influenza and
pnuemococcal vaccines, and such other essential medical supplies, accessories
and equipment to be determined by the Department of Health (DOH).

"The DOH shall establish guidelines and mechanism of compulsory rebates in
the sharing of burden of discounts among retailers, manufacturers and
distributors, taking into consideration their respective margins;

XXX

(10) ON THE PURCHASE OF FOOD AND DRUG
ADMINISTRATION (FDA) - APPROVED NUTRITIONAL FOOD AND

DRINI

Kak

SECTION 4. Separability clause- If any section or provision of this Act shall be declared
unconstitutional or invalid, the provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall
continue to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 5. Repealing Clause- Laws, rules and regulations, and other issuances
inconsistent with the provision of this Act are deemed modified, revoked or repealed
accordingly.

SECTION 6. Effectivity- This law shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,