THE 1987 Philippine Constitution, Article XV, Section 4 on the Filipino Family of the 1987 Philippine Constitution mandates that, “It is the duty of the family to take care of its older person members, while the State may design programs of social security for them.” It is, therefore, the obligation of each family to make sure that the senior members of its household are properly cared for and assisted. At present, our government has already issued several programs to help families in caring for older persons. Among them are the following proclamations and executive orders:
Presidential Proclamation 470, Series of 1994, declaring the first week of October of every year as “Elderly Filipino Week.”
Presidential Proclamation 1048, Series of 1999, declaring a nationwide observance in the Philippines of the International Year of Older Persons.
Executive Order (EO) 266, Series of 2000, approving and adopting the Philippine Plan of Action for Older Persons (1999-2004). EO 105, Series of 2003, approving and directing the implementation of the program providing for group homes and foster homes for the neglected, abandoned, abused, detached and poor older persons and persons with disabilities.
There are also national laws for senior citizens that need to be properly implemented for the benefit of older persons. These are:
Republic Act (RA) 7432, or the “Senior Citizens Act of 1991,” or “An Act to Maximize the Contribution of Senior Citizens to Nation-Building, Grant Benefits and Special Privileges and for Other Purposes.” This provides for the granting of a 20-percent discount for senior citizens on fares for domestic transportation, and the availment of services from hotels, lodging houses, restaurants, theaters, recreation centers, and purchase of drugs and medicines anywhere in the country. It also exempts senior citizens from payment of individual income tax and establishes the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (Osca) at the city or municipal mayor’s office.
RA 9257, otherwise known as the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2003, expands the coverage of the benefits and privileges for senior citizens by making it mandatory for business establishments to grant the 20-percent discount on goods and services. It also installs a process for organizing the Osca and the selection of the Osca head. But, more important, it provides for a comprehensive system for senior citizens to foster their capacity to attain a more meaningful and productive aging.
RA 9994, or the “Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010,” is the most recent amendment and prevailing law for senior citizens. It provides for the following benefits and privileges:
Twenty-percent discount and 12-percent value-added tax exemption, free services and/or training fees;
Discount on “essential medical supplies, accessories, equipment,” free flu and pneumonia vaccines;
Additional government assistance, i.e., social pension, mandatory PhilHealth coverage, social-safety nets, death benefit assistance;
The Department of Trade and Industry now part of the National Coordinating and Monitoring Board (NCMB);
Clearer and “stricter” appointment procedure and requirements for Osca Heads; and
Honoraria for Osca head equal to SG10.
There are also administrative orders and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) issuances, which guide our stakeholders in ensuring quality care for older persons.
Adapted from the lecture of the NCMB Secretariat of the DSWD during the Annual Convention of the Philippine College of Geriatric Medicine.
2 comments
Well having the privileges of being a senior citizen it’s great and best . Recognized our contribution with our mother land… my homeland, the PHILIPPINES… MABUHAY…
as an OFW retiree… for about 30 years of surviving… far beyond from my homeland… to achieved my goals for the sake of my families… at last I came back home to my prestige homeland… the Philippines…