| Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
| First Regular Session

House Bit No. 1960

Introduced by

HON. RODOLFO “OMPONG” M. ORDANES

]
EXPLANATORY NOTE
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Currently, Senior Citizens have crossed the threshold of being twelve million in population and are on the
road to comprising over 16% of the Philippine Population by 2025. However, while senior citizens continue to be
Poised into becoming of the major demographics in the Philippines, they remain to be one of the most
underrepresented demographics in government, especially in the field of local governance.

This underrepresentation and lack of participation in governance and nation-building have led to a
significant gap in polices, programs, and projects that are needed by our senior citizens to preserve and promote
their social and economic needs. This trend of underrepresentation and lack of participation is especially worrying
Considering that senior citizens remain to be the most socially and economically vulnerable demographic in our
country.

In fact, the Philippine Constitution itself mandated not just the care of senior citizens but their prioritization
as well. Thus, the failure of our nation to create enabling mechanisms and platforms to bridge the gap in
Underrepresentation and lack of participation in governance and nation-building for senior citizens is not just
contrary to our laws, but to the very essence of what makes us Filipino,

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The proposed measure seeks to bridge the gap in underrepresentation and lack of participation in
governance and nation-building for senior citizens by creating mechanisms and platforms for them to participate
and be represented in governance and nation-building within their respective localities through the creation of the
Katipunan ng Senior Citizens, Pederasyon ng Sangguniang Senior Citizens, and the Sangguniang Senior Citizens,
‘among others. Through this measure, political establishments catering exclusively to senior citizens will be created
whose main focus will be their preservation and upliftment through meaningful polices, programs, and projects
within their respective localities,

In view of this, the passage of this bil

is sought.

RODOLFO “OM! |. ORDANES



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House ait Nod 96 0

Introduced by
| HON. RODOLFO “OMPONG” M. ORDANES:

AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS TO PROVIDE A PLATFORM FOR
SENIOR CITIZENS TO PARTICIPATE IN NATION-BUILDING AND PROMOTE THEIR WELFARE AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSE

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

CHAPTER 1.
INTRODUCTORY PROVISIONS

SECTION 1. Tit/e. -This Act shall be known as the "Sangguniang Senior Citizens Act of 2022”.

SEC. 2. Declaration of State Policies and Objectives. ~ The State recognizes the vital role of senior citizens in nation-
building and must include them in the process of governance to ensure that we maximize their contribution to
nation-building and promote social justice to them.

Towards this end, the State shall establish enabling structures and mechanisms to allow senior citizens to
meaningfully participate in nation-building and local governance.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms are hereby defined:

(2) Commission shall refer to the National Commission of Senior Citizens created under Republic Act No. 11350;

(b) Local Chief Executive shall refer to the provincial governor, city and municipal mayor, as the case may be;

(c) Local Government Operations Officer shall refer to the duly designated head of the office of the Department
of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) stationed in the concerned local government unit;

(d) Local Sanggunian shall refer to the sangguniang panlalawigan, sangguniang panlungsod and sangguniang
bayan;

(e) Office of Senior Citizen Affairs shall refer to the duly appointed office of senior citizens which assists and
handles the concerns of senior citizens within their respective locality;



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

(9) Senior Citizen Organizations shall refer to those organizations whose membership/ composition are the Senior
Citizens; and

(h) Senior Citizen-Serving Organizations shall refer to those registered organizations whose principal programs,
projects, and activities are for senior citizens or are senior citizens-related.

CHAPTER IT
‘THE KATIPUNAN NG SENIOR CITIZENS AND THE SANGGUNIANG SENIOR CITIZENS

SEC. 4. Katipunan ng Senior Citizens. - There shall be in every barangay a Katipunan ng Senior Citizens to be
composed of a citizens of the Philippines residing in the barangay for at least six (6) months, who are at least
sixty (60) years of age, and who are duly registered in the list of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and/or
the records of the Sangguniang Senior Citizens secretary.
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SEC. 5. Powers ‘and Functions of the Katipunan ng Senior Citizens. - The Katipunan ng Senior Citizens shall:
(a) Elect the Sangguniang Senior Citizens chairperson and members; and
(b) Serve as the highest policy-making body to decide on matters affecting the Senior Citizens in the barangay.
‘As such, the Sangguniang Senior Citizens shall consult and secure the concurrence of the Katipunan ng Senior
Citizens in the formulation ofall its, programs, plans, and activities.

SEC. 6. Meetings of the Katipunan ng Senior Citizens. - The Katipunan ng Senior Citizens shall meet at least once
‘every four (4) months, or at the call of the chairperson of the Sangguniang Senior Citizens or upon written petition
of at least one-twentieth (1/20) ofits members, to decide on important issues affecting the Senior Citizens of the

barangay.

SEC. 7. Creation and Election of the Sangguniang Senior Citizens, -There shall be in every barangay a
‘Sangguniang Senior Citizens to be composed of a chairperson and nine (9) members who shall be elected by the
registered voters of the Katipunan ng Senior Citizens. The Sangguniang Senior Citizens chairperson/shall, with the
concurrence of the majority of the Sangguniang Senior Citizens members, appoint from among the members of
the Katipunan hg Senior Citizens, a secretary, and a treasurer.

SEC. 8. Powers and Functions of the Sangguniang Senior Citizens. ~ The Sangguniang Senior Citizens shall:

(2) In consultation and with the concurrence of the Katipunan ng Senior Citizens, and within three (3) months
from assumption to office, formulate a three (3)-year rolling plan, which shall be known as the Barangay
Senior Citizens Development Plan, which shall serve as basis in the preparation of the Annual Barangay Senior
Citizens Appropriation Act. This plan shall be aligned with the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) and the
Local Senior Citizens Development Plans in every level, municipal, city, and provincial as is relevant;

(b) Approve the annual budget which is the annual slice of the Annual Barangay Senior Citizens Appropriation Act
before the start of the succeeding fiscal year and, if the Sangguniang Senior Citizens funds allow, a
supplemental budget. Any changes in the annual budget shall be in accordance with existing applicable budget

rules and procedures;



(©) Promulgate resolutions necessary to carry out the objectives of the Senior Citizens in the barangay in
accordance with the Barangay Senior Citizens Development Plan and the applicable provisions of this Act;

(d) Initiate and implement, in coordination with any national government agency and/or any private or
ongovernment institution, programs, and projects designed to promote the general welfare, development,
and empowerment of the Senior Citizens;

(€) Hold fund-raising activities which are inline with the Barangay Senior Citizens Development Plan, the proceeds
of which) shall be tax-exempt and shall accrue to the general fund of the Sangguniang Senior
Citizens: Provided, however, That in the appropriation thereof, the specific purpose for which such activity
has been held shall be first satisfied: Provided, further, That any appropriation thereof shall be in accordance
with existing applicable budget, accounting, and auditing rules and regulations;

(A) Create regular and special committees and such other bodies whose chairpersons and members of which shall
‘come from among the members of the Sangguniang Senior Citizens or from among the members of the
Katipunan ng Senior Citizens, as it may deem necessary to effectively carry out its programs and activities;

(g) Submit the annual and end-of-term program accomplishments and financial reports to the Sangguniang
Barangay|and present the same during the Katipunan ng Senior Citizens assembly, copy furnished by the
Office of the Local Government Operations Officer and the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA), all in
accordance with the prescribed form by the DILG and the Commission;

(h) Partner with the OSCA in planning and executing projects and programs of specific advocacies like good
governante, climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and resiliency, Senior Citizens employment
and livelitood, health and anti-drug abuse, gender sensitivity, and sports development;

(i) Adopt and implement a policy on full public disclosure of all its transactions and documents involving public
interest; and

() Exercise such other powers and perform such other functions as may be prescribed by law or ordinance, or
delegated by the Sangguniang Barangay or the Commission.

‘SEC. 9. Meetings of the Sangguniang Senior Citizens. —

(a) The Sangguniang Senior Citizens shall meet regularly once a month on the date, time and place to be fixed
by the said sanggunian, Special meetings may be called by the chairperson or any four (4) ofits members by
giving written notice of the date, time, place, and agenda of the meeting, which can be sent either through
personal delivery, registered mail, fax, or email, to all members, and must be received at least one (1) day in
advance. The Sangguniang Barangay, the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC), and the local OSCA
shall be furnished with notices of regular and special meetings and the minutes of the meetings thereafter.
(b) A majority of the members including the chairperson shall constitute a quorum.

SEC. 10. Qualifications. - An offical of the Sangguniang Senior Citizens, either elective or appointee, must be a
citizen of the Philippines, a qualified voter of the Katipunan ng Senior Citizens, a resident of the barangay for not
less than one (1) year immediately preceding the day of the elections, at least sixty (60) years of age on the day
of the elections, able to read and write Filipino, English, or the local dialect, must not be related within the second
civil degree of consanguinity or affinity to any incumbent elected national official or to any incumbent elected
regional, provincial, city, municipal, or barangay official, in the locality where he or she seeks to be elected, and
must not have been convicted by final judgment of any crime involving moral turpitude.



‘SEC. 11. Term of Office. -

(a) The chairperson and members of the Sangguniang Senior Citizens shall hold office for a fixed term of three
(3) years unless sooner removed for cause or by a majority vote of all members of the Katipunan ng Senior
Citizens in a regular or special assembly called for the purpose, permanently incapacitated, have died or
resigned from office.

(b) The Sangguniang Senior Citizens secretary and treasurer shall be coterminous with the appointing authority
unless ner removed for cause, found to have failed from the discharge of his or her duties, or has
commit an abuse of authority as stipulated in existing laws pertaining to the conduct of public officials,
through a majority vote of all the members of the Katipunan ng Senior Citizens in a regular or special assembly
called for the purpose.

SEC. 12. Sar sng Senior Citizens Chairperson. ~The chairperson of the Sangguniang Senior Citizens shall

automatically Serve as an ex officio member of the Sangguniang Barangay upon assumption to office. As such, he

or she shall exercise the same powers, discharge the same duties and functions, and enjoy the same privileges as
the regular Sangguniang Barangay members; and shall be the chairperson of the Committee on Senior Citizens

{and Sports Development. He or she shall be entitled to a pro-rata honoraria for every session of the Sangguniang

Barangay he dr she has attended.

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SEC. 13. Powers and Functions of the Sangguniang Senior Otizens Chairperson. ~ The Sangguniang Senior Citizens

chairperson stall exercise such powers and discharge such duties as follows:

(2) Call and preside over all meetings ofthe Sangguniang Senior Citizens, and vote in case of a tie, and assemblies
of the Katipunan ng Senior Citizens except when one. (1) of the agenda to be discussed in such assembly
involves the disciplinary action against the Sangguniang Senior Citizens chairperson, in which case, the
highest-ranking Sangguniang Senior Citizens member shall preside;

(b) Take the lead in the formulation of the Barangay Senior Citizens Development Plan and the preparation and
implementation of the Annual Barangay Senior Citizens Appropriation Act;

(©) Ensure the implementation of policies, programs, and projects as contained in the Annual Barangay Senior
Citizens Appropriation Act, in coordination with the Sangguniang Barangay, the NCSC, and the local OSCA;

(4) Sign all fequired documents and warrants drawn from the Sangguniang Senior Citizens funds for all
expenditures in the implementation of the Barangay Senior Citizens Development Plan and Annual Barangay
Senior Citizens Appropriation Act;

(e) Exercise general supervision over the affairs and activities of the Sangguniang Senior Citizens and the
Katipunan ng Senior Citizens as well as the official conduct of its members;

(f). With the concurrence of the Sangguniang Senior Citizens, appoint from among the members of the Katipunan
rng Senior Citizens a secretary and a treasurer;

(@) Coordinate with the Sangguniang Barangay and other Senior Citizens organizations within his or her barangay
‘on Senior Citizens-related programs and projects that they wish to initiate and implement; and


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

SEC. 14. Sangguniang Senior Citizens Secretary. ~The Sangguniang Senior Cizens secretary shall:

(2) Keep all the records of the Katipunan ng Senior Citizens, including the list of its qualified members, Senior
Cttizens polices, studies, research, and registry of Senior Citizens and Senior Citizens-serving organizations in
the barangay, if any;

(0) Prepare and keep all the minutes of all assemblies of the Katipunan ng Senior Citizens and all the meetings
of the Sahgguniang Senior Citizens;

(©) Cause the posting, in the barangay bulletin board and at least three (3) conspicuous places within the
jurisdiction of the barangay, and if possible including the use of traditional and nontraditional media, and
make available for any person with legal purpose, al resolutions approved by the Sangguniang Senior Citizens,
the annual and end-of-term reports of the programs and projects implemented by the Sangguniang Senior
Cttzens, the Barangay Senior Citizens Development Plan and Annual Barangay Senior Citizens Appropriation
‘Act and the dissemination of the same to concerned offices, institutions and individuals; and

(d) Manage and respond to Freedom for Information requests by their respective constituents;

(©) Perform such other duties and discharge such other functions as the Sangguniang Senior Citizens chairperson
may prescribe or direct.

SEC. 15. Sangguniang Senior Citizens Treasurer. - The Sangguniang Senior Citizens treasurer shall:

(a) Take custody of all Sangguniang Senior Citizens property and funds;

(b) Collect and receive contributions, monies, materials, and all other resources intended for the Sangguniang
Senior Citizens and the Katipunan ng Senior Citizens;

(©) Serve as (cosignatory in all withdrawals from the Sangguniang Senior Citizens funds and disburse funds in
accordante with the approved annual budget and supplemental budget, as the case may be, of the
‘Sangguniang Senior Citizens,

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

(e) Submit tg the Sangguniang Senior Citizens and the Sangguniang Barangay certified and detailed statements
of actual income and expenditures at the end of every quarter and the posting of the same in the barangay
bulletin board and at least three (3) conspicuous places within the jurisdiction of the barangay, its website,
and its sdcial media pages, and if possible including the use of other traditional and nontraditional media;

() Render report during the regular Katipunan ng Senior Citizens assembly on the financial status of the
Sangguniang Senior Citizens; and

(g) Perform such other duties and discharge such other functions as the Sangguniang Senior Citizens chairperson
may prestribe or direct.

SEC. 16. Privileges of Sangguniang Senior Citizens Officials, -(a) All Sangguniang Senior Citizens officials in good

standing, whether elected or appointed, shall, during their incumbency:

(1) Be entitled to receive actual traveling reimbursements as may be authorized by law, and subject to the
availability of funds: Provided, That, such travel is directly related to the performance of their functions as
Sangguniang Senior Citizens officials and is supported by duly approved travel order by the Punong Barangay



in the case of the Sangguniang Senior Citizens chairperson, or by the Sangguniang Senior Citizens chairperson
in the cage of the other Sangguniang Senior Citizens officials.

(2) The Sangguniang Senior Citizens Chairperson shall have the same privileges enjoyed by other Sangguniang
Barangay officials under this Act subject to such requirements and limitations provided herein,

SEC. 17. in Authority —For purposes of the Revised Penal Code, the Sangguniang Senior Citizens
chairperson and members in each barangay shall be deemed as persons in authority in their jurisdictions.

SEC. 18. Suspension and Removal from Office. - Any elected official of the Sangguniang Senior Citizens may, after

due process, be suspended for not more than six (6) months or removed from office by @ majority vote ofall

members of the Sangguniang Bayan or Sangguniang Panlungsod which has jurisdiction in the barangay of the
concerned Sangguniang Senior Citizens official or by a majority vote of all members of the Katipunan ng Senior

Citizens in the barangay of the concerned Sangguniang Senior Citizens official, the said decision shall be final and

executory, on any of the following grounds:

(a) Absence from the regular meeting of the Sangguniang Senior Citizens without valid cause for two (2)
consecutive times or accumulated absences of four (4) within @ period of twelve (12) months;

(b) Failure jconvene the regular assembly of the Katipunan ng Senior Citizens for two (2) consecutive times;

(€) Failure to convene the regular Sangguniang Senior Citizens meetings for three (3) consecutive months in the
case of the Sangguniang Senior Citizens chairperson;

(d) Failure to formulate the Barangay Senior Citizens Development Pian and the Annual Barangay Senior Citizens
Appropriation Act, or approve the annual budget within the prescribed period of time without justifiable
reason; |

(©) Failure to implement programs and projects outlined in the Annual Barangay Senior Citizens Appropriation Act
without justifiable reason;

(f) Four (4) consecutive absences during the regular Sangguniang Barangay sessions without valid cause in the
case of the Sangguniang Senior Citizens chairperson;

(@) Conviction by final judgment of a crime involving moral turpitude; and violation of existing laws against graft
and corruption and other civil service laws, rules, and regulations; and

(h) Failure in the discharge of his or her duty or has committed an abuse of authorty.

SEC. 19. Succession and Filling up of Vacancies. ~

(2) Incase a Sangguniang Senior Citizens chairperson refuses to assume office, fails to qualify, voluntarily resigns,
dies, is permanently incapacitated, is removed from office, the Sangguniang Senior Citizens member who
obtained the highest number of votes in the election immediately preceding shall assume the office of the
chairperson for the unexpired portion of his or her term. In case said member refuses to assume the position
oF falls to qualify, the Sangguniang Senior Citizens member obtaining the next highest number of votes shall
assume the position of the chairperson for the unexpired portion of the term.

(b) After the vacancy shall have been filled, the Sangguniang Senior Citizens chairperson shall, within thirty (30)
days, call for a special Katipunan ng Senior Citizens assembly to elect a Sangguniang Senior Citizens member
to complete the membership of said sanggunian: Provided, That, such special assembly is coordinated with


the Office of the Local Government Operations Officer and the COMELEC of the municipality or city where the
concerned barangay belongs Such Sangguniang Senior Citizens member shall hold office for the unexpired
portion of the term of the vacant seat. For this purpose, any citizen of the Philippines residing in the said
barangay for at least six (6) months who attains the age of at least sixty (60) years old at the time of the
special election and who registers as a member of the Katipunan ng Senior Citizens before the Sangguniang
Senior Citizens ‘secretary shall be entitled to vote in the said special election.

(¢) All other vacances in the office of the Sangguniang Senior Citizens shall be filled in accordance with the
immediately preceding provision.

(d) In case Of suspension of the Sangguniang Senior Citizens chairperson, the successor, as determined in
‘subsection (a) of this section, shall assume the position during the period of such suspension.

‘SEC. 20. Sar iniang Senior Citizens Funds. - The Sangguniang Senior Citizens funds shall be governed by the
following provisions:

(2) All the income of the barangay derived from whatever source shall accrue to its general fund and shall, atthe
option of the barangay concerned, be kept as a trust fund in the custody ofthe city or municipal treasurer or
be deposited in a bank, preferably a government-owned bank, situated in or nearest to its area of jurisdiction.
‘Such funds shall be disbursed in accordance with the provisions of this Act. Ten percent (10%) of the general
fund of the barangay shall be set aside for the Sangguniang Senior Citizens. The Sangguniang Barangay shall
appropriate the Sangguniang Senior Citizens funds in lump-sum which shall be disbursed exclusively for Senior
Citizens development and empowerment purposes;

(b) The Sangguniang Senior Citizens shall have financial independence in its operations, disbursements, and
‘encashment of their fund, income, and expenditures. As such, the Sangguniang Senior Citizens funds shall be
deposited in the name of the Sangguniang Senior Citizens of the concerned barangay in a government-owned
bank situated in or nearest to its area of jurisdiction with the Sangguniang Senior Citizens chairperson and
the Sanaguniang Senior Citizens treasurer as the official signatories;

(c) All Sangguniang Senior Citizens funds shall be allocated in an annual budget, and if the funds allow, in a
‘supplemental budget in accordance with the adopted Annual Barangay Senior Citizens Appropriation Act. Both
the Bararjgay Senior Citizens Development Plan and Annual Barangay Senior Citizens Appropriation Act shall
give priority to programs, projects, and activities that will promote and ensure equitable access to quality
training, environmental protection, climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction and resiliency, Senior
Citizens employment, and livelihood, health and anti-drug abuse, gender sensitivity, sports development, and
capability building which emphasizes leadership training; and

(d) The Sangguniang Bayan or Sangguniang Panlungsod shall, within sixty (60) days upon receipt hereof, review
the annual and supplements budget ofthe Sangguniang Senior Citizens on their compliance in the immediately
preceding provision and other existing laws, rules, and regulations. Noncompliance shall render said budgets

jperative either in whole or in part. Failure on the part of the sanggunian to complete the review within the
prescribed period shall render the said annual budget deemed approved. If the annual and supplemental
budget of the Sangguniang Senior Citizens is denied by the Sangguniang Bayan or Sangguniang Panlungsod,
the Sangguniang Senior Citizens can override the denial provided the vote of the majority of all members of
the Katipunan ng Barangay in ther respective jurisdictions.



(e) All Sangguniang Senior Citizens funds derived from any source shall be stated in its financial records which
shall be kept by the Sangguniang Senior Citizens treasurer, be made publicly available, copy furnished the
Sangguniang Barangay, in a simplified manner as may be prescribed by the Commission on Audit (COA). All
‘Sangguniang Senior Citizens funds shall be subject to all existing accounting and auditing laws, rules and
regulations.

SEC. 21. Pederasyon ng Sangguniang Senior Citizens. —
(a) There shall be an organization of the Pederasyon ng mga Sangguniang Senic
1. In municipalities, Pambayang Pederasyon ng mga Sangguniang Senior Citizens which shall be composed

Citizens to be known as follows:

of the Sangguniang Senior Citizens chairpersons of barangays in the municipality;

2. Incities, the Panlungsod na Pederasyon ng mga Sangguniang Senior Citizens which shall be composed of
the Sangguniang Senior Citizens chairpersons of barangays in the city; and

3._In provinces, Panlalawigang Pederasyon ng mga Sangguniang Senior Citizens which shall be composed of
the cdnvenors of the Pambayan and Panlungsod na Pederasyon ng mga Sangguniang Senior Citizens.

(b) The Pederasyon ng mga Sangguniang Senior Citizens shall, at all levels, elect from among themselves a
president, a vice president, a' treasurer, a secretary, and such other officers as they may deem necessary.
The concerned Local Government Operations Officer, in coordination with the election officer, shall facilitate
the cna of the elections which shall be held within fifteen (15) days from the Sangguniang Senior Citizens
elections lin case of the Pambayan and Panlungsod na Pederasyon, and within thirty (30) days in case of the
Panlalawigang Pederasyon.

(c)_ The mariner of election, suspension, and removal of the officers of the Pederasyon at all levels and the term:
of office of the other officers of the Pederasyon shall be governed by the guidelines to be jointly issued by the
DILG, the COMELEC, and the Commission within sty (60) days upon the effectivity ofthis Act.

SEC. 22. Membership in the Sanggunian and Local Special Bodies. -(a) The duly elected president of the
Pederasyon ng ‘Sangguniang Senior Citizens, at all levels, shall serve as ex officiomember of the Sangguniang
Bayan, Sangguniang Panlungsod and Sangguniang Panlalawigan, respectively;

(c) He or she shall be the chairperson of the Committee on Senior Citizens and Sports Development in the said
Sanggunian, and a regular member of the Committees on Education, Environment, Employment and
Livelihood, Health and Anti-Drug Abuse, and Gender and Development,

(d) He or she shall convene the LSCDC every three (3) months to conduct consultations with Senior Citizens
organizations.

CHAPTER IIT
‘THE LOCAL SENIOR CITIZENS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (LSCDC)

SEC. 23. Creation. ~ To ensure wide and multi-sectoral Senior Citizens participation in local governance, there shall
be in every province, city and municipality a Local Senior Citizens Development Council (LSCDC) “which shall be
called, Provincial Senior Citizens Development Council, City Senior Citizens Development Council, and Municipal
Senior Citizens Development Council, respectively. The LSCDC shall be composed of representatives of Senior
Citizens and Senior Citizens-serving organizations in the provincial, city, and municipal levels. The LSCDC shall
assist the planning and execution of projects and programs of the Sangguniang Senior Citizens, and the
Pederasyons at all levels.



SEC. 24. Loca/ Senior Citizens Development Council Funds.- The LSCDC shall be funded by their respective
‘Sangguniang Bayan, Sangguniang Panlungsod and Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

CHAPTER IV
‘THE LOCAL OFFICE OF SENIOR CITIZENS AFFAIRS

SEC. 25. Creation. - There shall be in every province, city and municipality an Office of Senior Citizens Affairs of
Which shall be|headed by an Office of Senior Citizens Head with the rank and salary grade of atleast division chief
Such will be under the Office of the Local Chief Executive. It shall be a separate department with divisions and
Units for policy and planning, administration and finance, and programs and operations.
SEC. 26. Funding. ~ The local government unit shall incorporate in its annual budget such amount as may be
pease operation and effective functioning of the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs.

|

| CHAPTER V
CAPABILITY-BUTLDING AND ORIENTATION TOWARDS NATION-BUILDING AND EMPOWERMENT
SEC. 27. Mandatory and Continuing Training Programs. - For the purpose of emphasizing the role of the Senior
Citizens in natlon-building and molding them to become better citizens with the values of patriotism, nationalism,
and honor as @ Filipino, any Sangguniang Senior Citizens oficial, whether elected or appointed, or any member of
the LScDC Ae undergo the mandatory training programs before he or she can assume office. During their
Incumbency, they must attend the continuing training programs to be undertaken by the Commission in
coordination with the DILG. Deliberate failure to attend the said training programs shall constitute suficient ground
to disqualify said Sangguniang Senior Citizens official or LSCDC member or subject them to disciplinary actions.

SEC. 28. Components of the Mandatory Training Programs. ~The Commission and the DILG with the assistance
of the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), the Local Government Academy (LGA), the University of
the’ Philippines-National College of Public Administration and Governance (UP-NCPAG), the Commission, and in
consultation with Senior Citizens stakeholders shall jointly design and implement the mandatory and continuing
training programs. The mandatory training programs must include among others, the following components: (1)
‘The Philippine |.cultural history, political systems ethics, and ideologies; (2) The Filipino as a nation builder (3) The
Filipino Senior Citizens and its role in nation-building; and (4) capability building on leadership, program and project
development and sustainability, financial management, and accountability and transparency.

SEC. 29, Training Fund — A training fund with an initial amount of fifty million pesos (P50,000,000.00) is hereby
established and appropriated from any available source to be managed by the Department of Interior and Local
Government and the Unit of Local Authorities of the Philippines. Thereafter, such amount needed for this purpose

shall be included in the Annual General Appropriations Act.



CHAPTER VI
LINGGO NG SENIOR CITIZENS

SEC. 30. Observance of Linggo ng Katandaang Pilipino or the Senior Citizens Week. ~

(a) Every barangay, municipality, city, and province shall conduct an annual activity on the Senior Citizens Week
under Proctamation Big. 475, Series 1975 on the first week of October every year. The Sangguniang Senior
Citizens, in the case of barangay, and the respective LSCDC in cooperation with the Pederasyon ng mga
Sangguniang Senior Citizens, in the case of municipality, city, and province, shall take the lead in this

observance.
i

| CHAPTER VII

| REGISTRATION, ELECTION, AND ASSUMPTION OF OFFICE
|

SEC. 31. Registration. For purposes of the next regular Sangguniang Senior Citizens election under this Act, the
CCOMELEC shall set a special registration of the Katipunan ng Senior Citizens which shall in no case be less than
one (1) month and shall include Saturdays and Sundays.

SEC. 32, Date of Election. - The Sangguniang Senior Citizens elections shall be synchronized with the barangay
elections and Subsequently every three (3) years thereafter.

CHAPTER VIII
FINAL PROVISIONS

SEC. 33. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to implement the provisions of this Act shall be included in the
Annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 34. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). ~The Commission, the DILG, the COMELEC, the Department
of Budget and Management, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the COA, and the Special
Committee on Senior Citizens of the House of Representatives and the Senate, in consultation with the local
‘government leagues, and various Senior Citizens organizations and Senior Citizens-serving organizations shall be
tasked to come up, within sixty (60) days upon approval of this Act, with the IRR needed for the implementation

of this Act.

SEC. 35. Separability Clause. ~1f, for any reason or reasons, any part or provision of this Act shall be declared
unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and

effect.

SEC. 36. Repealing Clause, -All other laws, presidential decrees, executive orders letters of instruction, rules, and
regulations or portions thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.



SEC. 37. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after the completion of its publication in
the Official Gazette or any two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,