Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH (18") CONGRESS.
First Regular Session

House BILL No. 1414

Introduced by: Representative Jose L. Atienza, Jr.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This Bill seeks the creation of a Council of Elders in every Barangay.

Most of our senior citizens, after having spent the most productive years of
their lives contributing to the development of their respective communities in
particular and the country in general, spend their twilight years unattended and
wasting away.

The barangays, being the smallest local government units, would be the best
venues where our senior citizens — with their reservoir of wisdom and wealth of
experience — can be tapped to participate in different activities, help solve the
problems confronting their barangays, and contribute greatly to the development of
the same. It is our firm belief that development of local government units (LGUs)
could be one of the biggest boosters of national development.

This will likewise be a concrete recognition of the invaluable and special
role they have always played in society. Not to mention that many of our senior
citizens today are in need of special care and attention and the budget allocated for
the members of this council would be a big help for their medigal and other needs.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH (18") CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 1114

Introduced by: Representative Jose L. Atienza, Jr.

AN ACT
CREATING A COUNCIL OF ELDERS IN EVERY BARANGAY, DEFINING
ITS POWERS AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR

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 “Barangay
Council of Elders Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - Consistent with the principle of
providing equal opportunity to each and every member of the community, it
is a policy of the state, under Article II Section 23 of the Constitution, to
encourage nongovernmental, community based, or sectoral organizations
that promote the welfare of the nation. In the same manner, Article II
Section 26 of the Constitution guarantees equal opportunities for Public
Service.

SEC. 3. Creation and Appointment. —
(a) There shall be in every barangay a Council Of Elders to be composed of
eleven (11) members, who shall elect among themselves their Council

Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer.

(b)The Council of Elders will be appointed by the Barangay Chairman, upon
consultation with the local community.

SEC. 4. Meetings of the Council of Elders. — The Council of Elders

Shall meet at least once every month, or at the call of the Barangay Chairman, or
upon written petition by at least 5% of registered Senior Citizens of the Barangay.

SEC. 5. Powers and Functions of the Council of Elders. — The Council

of Elders shall:

(a) Promulgate resolutions prioritizing concerns of senior citizens in
particular, and problems besetting the Barangay in general, to be
approved by the Barangay Chairman;


(b) Initiate programs designed to enhance the social, political, economic,
cultural, intellectual, moral, spiritual, and physical development of the
members;

(c) Submit annual and end-of-term reports to the Barangay Chairman on
their projects and activities;

(d) Exercise such other powers and perform such other duties and functions
as the Barangay Chairman may determine or delegate; and

(e) Exercise such other powers and perform such other duties and functions
as may be prescribed by law or ordinance.

SEC. 6. Qualifications. - An appointed official of the Council of
Elders must be a citizen of the Philippines, a qualified Voter, a resident of the
barangay for at least one (1) year immediately prior to appointment, ar least sixty
(60) years of age on the day of his appointment, able to read and write Filipino,
English, or the local dialect, and must not have been convicted of any crime
involving moral turpitude.

SEC. 7. Term of Office.— The Council of Elders chairman and
members shall be co-terminus with the Barangay Chairman, unless sooner
removed for cause, permanently incapacitated, die or resign from office.

SEC. 8. Powers and Duties of the Council of Elders Chairman, —\n
addition to the duties which may be assigned to him by the Barangay Chairman,
the Council of Elders chairman shall:

(a) Call and preside over all meetings;

(b) Implement policies, programs, and projects for Senior Citizens within his
jurisdiction in coordination with the Barangay;

(c) Exercise general supervision over the affairs and activities within his
jurisdiction;

(d) Exercise such other powers and perform such other duties and functions
as may be prescribed by law or ordinance.

SEC. 9. — Council of Elders Secretary. - The Council of Elders secretary
shall:

(a) Keep all records;
(b)Prepare and keep the minutes of all meetings;

(c) Perform such other duties and discharge such other functions as the
chairman may prescribe or direct.

SEC. 10. Council of Elders Treasurer. — The Council of Elders treasurer
shall:


(a) Take custody of all Council of Elders property and funds not
Otherwise deposited with the city or municipal treasurer;

(b) Collect and receive contributions, monies, materials, and all other
sources intended for the Council of Elders;

(c) Disburse funds in accordance with an approved budget of the Council
of Elders;

(d) Certify to the availability of funds whenever necessary;

(e) Submit to the Barangay Chairman certified and detailed statements of
actual income and expenditures at the end of every month; and

(f) Perform such other duties and discharge such other functions as the
chairman may direct.

SEC. 11. Succession and Filling of Vacancies. —

(a) In case a Council of Elders chairman refuses to assume office, fails to
Qualify, is convicted of a felony, voluntarily resigns, dies, is permanently
incapacitated, is removed from office, or has been absent without leave
for more than three (3) consecutive months, the Council will appoint
from among the members who shall assume the office of the chairman
for the unexpired portion of the term, and shall discharge the powers and
duties, and enjoy the rights and privileges appurtenant to the office.

(b) After the vacancy shall have been filed, the Barangay Chairman will
fill the vacancy in the Council of Elders with a new appointment.

SEC. 12. Appropriation. — The Council of Elders budget shall be
appropriated ten percent (10%) of the Barangay fund.

SEC. 13. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders
or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SEC. 14. Separability Clause. —\f any provision of this Act is held
invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions of this Act are hereby

repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

SEC. 15. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of national circulation.

Approved.