Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

[No 3923

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative ERIC R. BUHAIN

AN ACT GRANTING HEALTH CARE, RETIREMENT, DEATH BENEFITS AND
OTHER PRIVILEGES TO RETIRED FILIPINO OLYMPIAN
AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFORE

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippines has been competing at Olympic Games since 1924. In an
almost a century, we have few 450 Olympians, in comparison to our country’s
entire population. Becoming an Olympian entails a lifetime of dedication,
perseverance and sacrifices, all a heroic act.

The World Olympians Association (WOA) has conferred the title “OLY” as
post nominal for Olympians. The title is intended to recognize their heroic act
that gives honor and immense pride to their countries.

While it takes a lifetime to be considered an Olympian, their actual career
span is short. Starting their careers in their teens, OLYs usually retire at their 30s,
say 40 years old at the most. Exceptions are the athletes for golf, billiards, and
the like that do not entail massive energy of their events. At their retirement
age, it isa bit late for them to begin a new career. Oftentimes they settle for jobs
that are far from what they are passionate at.

To date, the Philippine Olympians Association (POA) is in contact with
more than one hundred living OLYs. They search for other living OLYs to establish
a database. These OLYs are not accorded with privileges befitting somebody
who brought honor to the country.


Another recognition of the honor they gave to our country, this bill seeks
to provide benefits to Filipino OLYs. Incentives under (RA 10699) “National
Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act” shall continue to be enjoyed
by OLYs, as this bill only aims to give health care, retirement, death and other
benefits. In brief, RA 10699 is performance based while this bill is about age and
stages of OLYs’ lives.

tam positive that should this bill be enacted; it will encourage more of our
youth to engage in sports that will bring them to compete in the Olympics.

| therefore request all colleagues to support this bill.

Exe

Representative
First District of Batangas


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

(No. 3923

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representative ERIC R. BUHAIN

“AN ACT GRANTING HEALTH CARE, RETIREMENT, DEATH BENEFITS AND
OTHER PRIVILEGES TO RETIRED FILIPINO OLYMPIANS AND PROVIDING FUNDS
THEREFORE”

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Filipino Olympians
Health Care, Retirement and Death Benefits Act.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — The Constitution states that, the Congress
shall give highest priority to the enactment of measures that protect and
enhance the right of the people to human dignity, reduce social, economic, and
political inequalities. It is likewise the policy if the state to promote sports to
foster patriotism and nationalism.

Moreover, The State guarantees measures that promotes and protects human
dignity and social equality. To this end, it is hereby declared as the policy of the
state to provide health care and retirement and death benefits to Retired
Filipino Olympians, in recognition of the glory and honor that they have
bestowed the Philippines and its people.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. — For purposes of this Act, the following terms
shall be defined as follows:


1. Filipino Olympians shall refer to athletes who:
© are Filipino citizens, as defined by the 1987 Constitution, and
* have competed in either the Winter or Summer Olympic Games as
official representatives of the country.

2. Olympians shall refer to those who have been bestowed the title by the
World Olympians Association.

3. Retired Filipino Olympian shall refer to a Filipino Olympian who is no
longer or who is not a National Athlete as defined under Republic Act No.
10699 and who has ceased participating and no longer intends to
participate in any domestic or international competition under R.A.
10699. It shall not include those who have decided to change their sport,
who, shall be considered retired only after they have ceased to
participate in the latter during either the Winter or Summer Olympic
Games and in any domestic or international competition.

SECTION 4. Health Care Benefits. — Retired Filipino Olympians, regardless of
age, shall be covered by the National Health Insurance Corporation provided by
the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHIC), through a special program
sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), which will provide the
required local government premium counterpart to be directly remitted to the
PHIC. Upon reaching the age of fifty (50), the Retired Filipino Olympian shall be
an honorary member of the program, subject to existing PHIC rules and
regulations and without prejudice to the benefits afforded to senior citizens.

In case of hospitalization of the Retired Filipino Olympians in any hospital
or clinic, any amount in excess of the PHIC benefit shall be shouldered by the
Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) under its Individual Medical
Assistance Program (IMAP); Provided, That the requirement for qualification
and grant of the health care assistance to be extended by the PCSO shall be
made consistent with and subject to the compliance with PCSO's existing rules
and guidelines; Provided, further, That any qualified beneficiary shall have the
option to waive the benefits mentioned under this section.


Any Retired Filipino Olympian shall be treated, free of charge, in any
government, government-owned-and controlled or government
instrumentality or local government health facility, without prejudice to certain
charges for medicines, etc. that may apply in accordance with the policies of
these facilities.

The benefits extended under this Section shall be non-transferable and
shall not cover the usual beneficiaries under the regular health programs of the
government.

SECTION 5. Retirement Benefits. — Retired Filipino Olympians shall, upon
reaching the age of fifty (50), receive a non-transferrable lifetime monthly
pension of at least fifteen thousand pesos (Php 15,000.00).

Retired Filipino Olympians who are actively employed at the time they
reach the age of fifty (50) and have availed of retirement benefits under this Act
may continue with such employment: Provided, That the retirement benefits
under this Act shall be separate and distinct from the mandatory retirement
benefits provided by existing laws.

SECTION 6. Death Benefits. - Upon the death of any Filipino Olympian, his/her
primary beneficiaries shall be entitled to a lump sum death benefit of fifty
thousand pesos (Php 50,000.00) to cover funeral services/expenses: Provided,
That, if there are no primary beneficiaries, the secondary beneficiaries shall be
entitled to the said benefits.

For purposes of this Act, the primary beneficiaries shall refer to legitimate
spouse and/or legitimate, illegitimate, or adopted children. Secondary
beneficiaries shall refer to his/her parents, and in their absence, to his/her
legitimate brothers or sisters. In the absence of all qualified beneficiaries, the
estate of the Filipino Olympian shall receive the benefit.

SECTION 7. Other Benefits. — Retired Filipino Olympians, who have not yet
reached sixty (60) years old or are not considered persons with disabilities
(PWDs), shall be entitled to:


a. 20% Discount on Domestic Transportation on Air, Sea and Land;

b. 20% Discount on Hotel and Lodging within the Philippines;
c. 20% Discount on all Restaurants;

d. 20% Discount at Recreational Centers, Cinema Houses, Museums etc.;

e. 20% Discount on Medicine and Drug Purchases;
f. 20% Discount on Sports Equipment Purchases;

g. Free Medical and Dental Consultations as an outpatient or in the
emergency setting, in all government health facilities.

SECTION 8. APPLICABILITY. — The benefits provided under Section 6 of this Act
shall apply to all living Filipino Olympians who are already sixty (60) years of age
at the time of the effectivity of this law.

SECTION 9. Adjustment of Retirement Benefits. — The adjustment in retirement
benefits provided in Section 5 hereof may be authorized, subject to the approval
of the President, upon the joint recommendation of the Secretary of the
Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Chairperson of the PSC,
based on studies, consultations and public hearings with relevant agencies,
entities and concerned athletes or coaches. However, no memorandum, order
or issuance shall diminish the prescribed retirement benefits.

SECTION 10. Appropriations. - The Chairperson of the PSC shall immediately
include in the Board's program the implementation of the benefits under this
Act, the funding of which shall be included in the annual General Appropriations
Act.

SECTION 11. implementing Rules and Regulations. — The PSC, in consultation
with the concerned agencies, shall promulgate and issue the Implementing
Rules and Regulations within ninety (90) days upon approval of this Act.


SECTION 12. Separability Clause. — If any provision or part of this Act shall be
held unconstitutional or invalid, other provisions, which are not affected
thereby, shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 13. Repealing Clause. — All laws, specifically provisions of RA 10699,
entitled the “National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act”,
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or
modified accordingly.

SECTION 14. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette and at least one newspaper of general

circulation.

Approved,