AN ACT GRANTING ADDITIONAL BENEFITS AND PRIVILEGES TO SENIOR CITIZENS AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7432

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of Republic Act No. 9257 (Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2003)

Policies and Objectives (Section 1):
- Motivate and encourage senior citizens to contribute to nation-building.
- Encourage families and communities to care for senior citizens.
- Support the well-being and participation of senior citizens in society.
- Recognize the rights of senior citizens.
- Provide comprehensive healthcare and rehabilitation for disabled senior citizens.
- Recognize the role of the private sector in improving the welfare of senior citizens.

Definition of Terms (Section 2):
- "Senior citizen" or "elderly" means any resident citizen of the Philippines aged 60 years or older.
- "Benefactor" means any person who takes care of a senior citizen as a dependent.
- "Head of the family" is defined in the National Internal Revenue Code.
- "Geriatrics" refers to the study of aging and diseases of old age.

Contribution to the Community (Section 3):
- Qualified senior citizens may render services to the community, such as:
    - Tutorial and consultancy services.
    - Teaching hobbies and income-generating skills.
    - Lectures on specialized fields.
    - Transferring new skills acquired through training.
    - Other services determined by the Office for Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA).
- OSCA may award benefits or privileges to senior citizens for services rendered.

Privileges for Senior Citizens (Section 4):
- 20% discount on:
    - Services in hotels, restaurants, recreation centers, medicines, funeral and burial services (Section 4a).
    - Admission fees for theaters, cinemas, concert halls, circuses, carnivals, and other cultural and leisure activities (Section 4b).
    - Medical and dental services, diagnostic and laboratory fees in private hospitals and facilities (Section 4f).
    - Domestic air and sea travel (Section 4g).
    - Public railways, skyways, and bus fares (Section 4h).
- Exemption from individual income taxes if annual taxable income does not exceed the poverty level determined by NEDA (Section 4c).
- Exemption from training fees for socioeconomic programs (Section 4d).
- Free medical, dental, diagnostic, and laboratory services in government facilities (Section 4e).
- Educational assistance for post-secondary, tertiary, post-tertiary, vocational, or technical education through scholarships, grants, financial aid, and other incentives (Section 4i).
- Continuance of benefits and privileges from GSIS, SSS, and PAG-IBIG, as enjoyed by those in actual service (Section 4j).
- Regular review and upgrading of retirement benefits to be at par with those in actual service (Section 4k).
- Special discounts on purchase of basic commodities, subject to guidelines from DTI and DA (Section 4l).
- Provision of express lanes or priority in commercial and government establishments (Section 4m).

Government Assistance (Section 5):
- Employment:
    - Information and matching services for senior citizens who want to work or be re-employed (Section 5a).
    - 15% additional deduction from gross income for private entities employing senior citizens (Section 5a).
    - Training programs for skills and livelihood support (Section 5a).
- Education:
    - Access to formal and non-formal education programs (Section 5b).
- Health:
    - National health program and integrated health services for senior citizens (Section 5c).
    - Training of community-based health workers and personnel in geriatric care (Section 5c).
- Social Services:
    - Self and social enhancement services (Section 5d1).
    - After-care and follow-up services (Section 5d2).
    - Neighborhood support services (Section 5d3).
    - Substitute family care in residential care/group homes (Section 5d4).
    - At least 50% discount on electricity, water, and telephone for senior citizen centers and residential care/group homes (Section 5d).
- Housing:
    - Inclusion of special housing needs of senior citizens in the national shelter program (Section 5e).
- Access to Public Transport:
    - Program to assist senior citizens in accessing public transport facilities (Section 5f).
- Additional Assistance:
    - Senior citizens treated as dependents for tax purposes (Section 5a).
    - Realty tax holiday and priority in road maintenance for homes, residential communities, or retirement villages for senior citizens (Section 5b).

Office for Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) (Section 6):
- Established in all cities and municipalities, headed by a senior citizen appointed by the mayor.
- Functions include:
    - Planning, implementing, and monitoring programs for senior citizens.
    - Maintaining a list of senior citizens and issuing ID cards.
    - Serving as an information and liaison center.
    - Monitoring compliance with the law.
    - Reporting violations to the mayor.
    - Assisting senior citizens in filing complaints.

Municipal/City Responsibility (Section 7):
- Require establishments to display information on senior citizen rights and privileges.
- Ensure implementation of the law.

Partnership with Local Government Units (Section 8):
- National and local governments shall explore livelihood opportunities and undertakings for senior citizens.
- Encourage establishment of grassroots organizations for the elderly.

Support for Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) (Section 9):
- Encourages NGOs dedicated to the welfare of senior citizens to partner with the government.
- Recognizes the vital role of NGOs in complementing government services.
- Encourages NGOs to develop innovative service models and pilot projects.

Penalties (Section 10):
- First violation: Fine of P50,000 to P100,000 and imprisonment of 6 months to 2 years.
- Subsequent violations: Fine of P100,000 to P200,000 and imprisonment of 2 to 6 years.
- Abuse of privileges: Fine of P5,000 to P50,000 and imprisonment of 6 months.
- Cancellation or revocation of business permits for non-compliance.
- Deportation for foreign offenders.

Monitoring and Coordinating Mechanism (Section 11):
- Chaired by the DSWD, with assistance from DOJ, DOH, DILG, and 5 accredited NGOs.

Implementing Rules and Regulations (Section 12):
- To be promulgated by the Secretary of Social Welfare and Development within 60 days, in consultation with various agencies and NGOs.

Appropriation (Section 13):
- Necessary appropriation for OSCA operations and maintenance shall be approved by local government units.
- Initial funding to carry out the law shall be charged to the Office of the President.
- Subsequent funding shall be included in the General Appropriations Act.