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

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

House Bill No. ©2968

Introduced by DIWA Party-list Representative Pepito M. Pico

Section 9, Article II of the Philippine Constitution states that, “The State shall
promote a just and dynamic social order that will ensure the prosperity and independence of
the nation and free the people from poverty through policies that provide adequate social
services, promote full employment, a rising standard of living, and an improved quality of
life for all”.

Senior citizens and persons with disability (PWDs) are marginalized sectors of our
society. They have lower income levels compared to other sectors. Current labor standards on
wages, which are already below the acceptable “living” wage, further places senior citizens
and PWDs at a disadvantage deceasing their chances of having a decent life.

As a means of empowering PWDs and senior citizens, this bill, which is a re-filing of
House Bill No. 6250 filed by Rep. Alfredo D. Vargas, III during the 16" Congress, mandates
local government units to allocate 1% of their internal revenue allotment for the improvement
of the quality of life of members from these vulnerable sectors. By doing so, the promotion of
a prosperous and happy life becomes more accessible to PWDs and senior citizens.

PERITO M. PICO
Representative, DIWA Party-list

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

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

8568
io.

Introduced by DIWA Party-list Representative Pepito M. Pico

AN ACT MANDATING LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS TO ALLOCATE ONE
PERCENT (1%) OF THEIR INTERNAL REVENUE ALLOTMENT (IRA) FOR
PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS FOR SENIOR CITIZENS AND ONE PERCENT (1%)
OF THEIR IRA FOR PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS FOR PERSONS WITH
DISABILITIES

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

SECTION 1. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes the roles of senior
citizens and persons with disabilities (PWD) in nation-building and community development.
Thus, it is hereby declared the policy of the State to provide senior citizens and PWDs with
programs, projects and activities that will effectively address their needs.

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

(a) “Senior citizens” or “elderly” refers to any resident of the Philippines
who are at least sixty (60) years old.

(>) “PWDs” refers to those suffering from restriction or different abilities, as
a result of a mental, physical or sensory impairment, to perform an activity
in the manner or within the range considered for a normal human being.

SECTION 3. Funding. - All local government units (LGUs) are hereby mandated to
allocate one percent (1%) of their Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) for programs, projects
and activities that will benefit senior citizens.

Likewise, all LGUs are directed to appropriate one percent (1%) of their IRA for
programs, projects and activities for PWDs.

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SECTION 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days after
the effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government, in
coordination with the Secretary of Social Welfare and Development, shall issue such rules
and regulations necessary for the effective implementation of this Act.

SECTION 5. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations, or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed,
amended or modified accordingly.

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

Approved,

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