WITH 177 affirmative votes and no negative vote the House of Representatives has approved on the third and final reading Wednesday House Bill (HB) No.11400, or the proposed “Act Expanding the Coverage of the Privileges and Benefits Given to Senior Citizens.”
HB No.11400 serves as the substitute bill for 24 individual measures seeking either additional or expanded benefits for the elderly.
It further amends Republic Act (RA) No.7432, as amended, entitled “An Act to Maximize the Contributions of Senior Citizens to Nation Building, Grant Benefits, and Special Privileges and for Other Purposes.”
“We Filipinos are known for having a respectful society, and this is rooted in the way we take care of our elders. As legislators, we always look for ways to make life easier and more comfortable for our countrymen who are in their golden years,” House Speaker Martin Romualdez said.
Romualdez, leader of the 306-strong House of Representatives, cited the key provisions of the bill:
Among others, it amends Sec. 3 of the “Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010” by defining medicines, food supplements, private commercial establishments, and parking fees covered as benefits granted to senior citizens.
“It includes online, offline, direct or indirect, first or third-party medium on the 20 percent discount privilege in the purchase of medicines, food supplements and vitamins, health professional fees, golf and country clubs, transport network services, and toll fees on sky-ways, expressways of the senior citizens,” Romualdez added.
The measure likewise gives a 15 percent discount on the monthly utilization of electricity and water, provided that the monthly consumption does not exceed two hundred kilowatt hours (200 KwH) of electricity and fifty cubic meters (50 m³) of water.
“The billing statement must be under the name of the senior citizen,” Speaker Romualdez noted.
The bill also grants an 8.5 percent special discount on the purchase of basic necessities and prime commodities.
In addition, it allocates P25,000 to the nearest surviving relative of a deceased senior citizen. The amount shall be subject to adjustments due to inflation.
The measure also exempts senior citizens from the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program (UVVR or Color-Coding Scheme) if they are driving or on board the vehicle. However, they should be able to present any identification document proving they are senior citizens at the time of apprehension.
It also grants parking fee exemption to all senior citizens on board, or driving a vehicle that is privately owned, upon presentation of a valid senior citizen identification card in all commercial and government establishments that charge parking fees.
Moreover, in the purchase of goods and services on promotional discount, the senior citizen can avail of the promotional discount or the discount provided in the bill, whichever is higher.
Establishments may claim certain of the discounts granted as tax deductions based on the cost of the goods sold or services rendered, provided that the cost of the discount shall be allowed as a deduction from gross income for the same taxable year that the discount is granted.
The total amount of the claimed tax deduction net of VAT, if applicable, shall be included in their gross sales receipts for tax purposes and shall be subject to proper documentation and to the provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC), as amended.
The measure directs the National Commission of Senior Citizens, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, Department of Finance, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Agriculture, Department of Transportation, Energy Regulatory Commission, Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, National Economic and Development Authority, and other concerned government agencies, to formulate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of the Act.
Authors of the bill include the following: Rodolfo Ordanes, Joey Salceda, Marissa “Del Mar” Magsino, Mark Go, Horacio Suansing, Jr., Mikaela Angela Suansing, Jefferson Khonghun, Patrick Michael Vargas, Edwin Olivarez, Alfred Delos Santos, Joseph Gilbert Violago, Marvin Rillo, Dan Fernandez, Gus Tambunting, Ernesto Dionisio, Jr., Marie Bernadette Escudero, Lordan Suan, Dale Corvera, Ruwel Peter Gonzaga, Emerson Pascual, Loreto Amante, Salvador Pleyto, Milagros Aquino-Magsaysay, Milagros, Rachel Marguerite Del Mar, Christopherson Yap, Jane Castro;
Gabriel Bordado, Jr., Linabelle Ruth Villarica, Steve Chiongbian Solon, Sonny Lagon, John Tracy Cagas, Mario Vittorio Mariño, Rosanna Vergara, Ray Reyes, Ricardo Kho, Neptali Gonzales II, Ambrosio Cruz, Jr., Alfelito Bascug, Sergio Dagooc, Leody Tarriela, Peter John Calderon, Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez, Jose Maria Zubiri, Jr., Wilter Palma, Ruth Mariano-Hernandez, Oscar Malapitan, Romulo Peña, Jr., Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Jose Alvarez, Maria Angela Garcia, Stella Luz Quimbo, and Florida Robes.
