at

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 5073

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 contributed 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. ‘This value should be
reflected in our laws, While we may have granted privileges in the past, it is
still woefully inadequate considering the diminishing number of senior citizens
and their thinning time left to enjoy such rewards. Hence, this bill seeks to
further reward them in their twilight years.

While the amendments may cover a comprehensive set of privileges, it is
but a small memento of our appreciation for thei ifice. 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 very economical ways of rewarding our
senior citizens and shows to the world what kind of people the Filipinos are,
especially towards their elders.

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

MERCEDES C. CAGAS



ius i

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 50'78

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 Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

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

“SEC. 4. Privileges for the Senior Citizens. - The senior
citizens shall be entitled to the following:

(a) “{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 senior citizens:

QQ) x
XXX XXX XXX
(10) ON COURT FEES, LEGAL SERVICES AND
ATTORNEY FEES IN ALL CASES OF WHICH THEY ARE THE

RESPONDENTS OR AGGRIEVED PARTIES, SUBJECT 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) LICENS

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 tests, 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.

() 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 11 of the same Act, is hereby amended to read as
follows:

“Sec. 11, Appropriations. — The necessary appropriations
for the operation and maintenance of the OSCA shall be
appropriated and approved by the LGUs concerned. For national
government agencies, the requirements to implement the
provisions 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 year of
implementation shall be added 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 implementation shall be added to the regular
appropriations of the DSWD and thereafter as a line item under
the DSWD budget in the subsequent GAA.”

SEC. 3. The relevant government agencies shall draft the necessary

Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for the effective implementation of

this Act.

SEC, 4. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication in the
Official Gazette or in two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,