AN ACT GRANTING ADDITIONAL BENEFITS AND PRIVILEGES TO SENIOR CITIZENS

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of Republic Act No. 9994 (Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010):

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

Definition of Terms (Section 2):
- Defines key terms like senior citizen, geriatrics, lodging establishment, medical services, dental services, nearest surviving relative, home health care service, indigent senior citizen

Privileges for Senior Citizens (Section 4):
- 20% discount and VAT exemption on:
  - Purchase of medicines, influenza/pneumococcal vaccines, medical supplies/accessories/equipment (Section 4(a)(1))
  - Professional fees of attending physicians in private hospitals/facilities (Section 4(a)(2))
  - Professional fees of licensed health workers providing home health care services (Section 4(a)(3))
  - Medical/dental services, diagnostic/laboratory fees in private facilities (Section 4(a)(4))
  - Fare for land transportation like buses, jeepneys, taxis, railways (Section 4(a)(5))
  - Fare for domestic air and sea travel (Section 4(a)(6))
  - Hotels, restaurants, recreation centers (Section 4(a)(7))
  - Admission fees for theaters, concert halls, leisure facilities (Section 4(a)(8))
  - Funeral and burial services for deceased senior citizens (Section 4(a)(9))
- Income tax exemption for minimum wage earners (Section 4(b))
- 5% discount on monthly utility bills up to 100 kWh electricity, 30 m3 water (Section 4(c))
- Exemption from training fees for socio-economic programs (Section 4(d))
- Free medical/dental services, tests in government facilities (Section 4(e))
- Free vaccination against influenza/pneumococcal disease for indigent seniors (Section 4(f))
- Educational assistance like scholarships, grants for post-secondary/tertiary education (Section 4(g))
- Continuance of GSIS/SSS/Pag-IBIG benefits for retirees (Section 4(h))
- Review and upgrading of retirement benefits (Section 4(i))
- Special discounts on basic commodities (Section 4(j))
- Express lanes/priority for senior citizens (Section 4(k))
- Death benefit assistance of minimum Php 2,000 (Section 4(l))

Government Assistance (Section 5):
- Employment information/matching services (Section 5(a))
- 15% tax deduction for private entities employing seniors (Section 5(a))
- Skills training programs for senior citizens (Section 5(a))
- Access to formal/non-formal education (Section 5(b))
- National health program and integrated health services (Section 5(c))
- Training of health workers specializing in geriatric care (Section 5(c))
- Establishment of "senior citizens' ward" in government hospitals (Section 5(c))
- Social services like self-enhancement, after-care, neighborhood support, substitute family care (Section 5(d))
- Inclusion of housing needs for seniors in national shelter program (Section 5(e))
- Assistance in accessing public transport facilities (Section 5(f))
- Incentives for foster care like tax holidays, road construction priority (Section 5(g))
- Social pension of Php 500 monthly for indigent seniors (Section 5(h)(1))
- Mandatory PhilHealth coverage for indigent seniors (Section 5(h)(2))
- Social safety assistance for economic shocks/calamities (Section 5(h)(3))

Office for Senior Citizens Affairs (Section 6):
- Establishment of OSCA in cities/municipalities headed by a senior citizen
- Functions include planning programs, maintaining database, issuing IDs, monitoring compliance, assisting in complaints

Penalties (Section 10):
- First violation: Fine of Php 50,000 - 100,000 and 2-6 years imprisonment
- Subsequent violations: Fine of Php 100,000 - 200,000 and 2-6 years imprisonment
- Abuse of privileges: Fine of Php 50,000 - 100,000 and 6 months imprisonment
- Deportation for alien/foreign offenders
- Revocation of business permits/franchises for non-compliant establishments

Monitoring and Coordinating Mechanism (Section 11):
- Establishment of National Coordinating and Monitoring Board
- Chaired by DSWD Secretary, with DOJ, DOH, DTI, DILG as members and 5 NGO reps
- Regional Coordinating and Monitoring Boards to be established

Implementing Rules and Regulations (Section 9):
- To be issued by DSWD within 60 days, in consultation with other agencies

Appropriations (Section 10):
- Funding from national agencies' budgets and LGU appropriations
- Funds for health program, vaccination to be included in DOH budget
- Funds for social pension to be included in DSWD budget