JUNE 5, 2015

NR # 3854

House approves on 3rd reading proposal for a more

inclusive definition of indigent senior citizen
The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a proposal to amend
Republic Act 9994, otherwise known as the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, to provide a more
inclusive definition of indigent senior citizen.
The House approved the proposal embodied in House Bill 5752, which seeks to amend Section 2,
sub-paragraph (h) of RA 9994, so that an indigent senior citizen refers to any elderly who is without
pension or permanent source of income, compensation, or regular and appropriate financial assistance
from his/her relatives to support his/her basic needs, as determined by the Department of Social Welfare
and Development (DSWD) in consultation with the National Coordinating and Monitoring Board.
The bill is authored by Reps. Angelina DL Tan, M.D. (4th District, Quezon), Rogelio J. Espina,
M.D. (Lone District, Biliran), Jose L. Atienza, Jr. (Party-list, Buhay), Rodel M. Batocabe (Party-list,
AKO BICOL), Neri J. Colmenares (Party-list, Bayan Muna), Marie Anne S. Pernes (Lone District,
Siquijor) and Arthur C. Yap (3rd District, Bohol).
Tan, author of the substituted bill, House Bill 3172, and one of the floor sponsors of HB 5752,
said the present definition of indigent senior citizen under RA 9994 excludes senior citizens who are
not sick or disabled and who have pension or other sources of income but who are nonetheless in dire
need of additional government assistance in the face of steep price of basic commodities and medical
services.
Specifically, the law refers to an indigent senior citizen as any elderly who is frail, sickly or
with disability, and without pension or permanent source of income, compensation, or financial assistance
from his/her relatives to support his/her basic needs, as determined by the Department of Social Welfare
and Development (DSWD) in consultation with the National Coordinating and Monitoring Board.
Tan said HB 5752 provides a more inclusive definition of indigent senior citizen by removing
the physical requirements and requiring that financial assistance by a senior citizens relatives should be
adequate and regular.
Hence, more senior citizens will feel more secure during the remaining years of their lives
because of the guarantee that they will have the ready access to financial assistance and health services,
said Tan.
Tan, a vice chairperson of the Committees on Labor and Employment, and on Social Services,
said RA 9994 provides an array of benefits, privileges and assistance to senior citizens such as a 20
percent discount and exemption from the value-added tax (VAT), if applicable, on the sale of some goods
and services; death benefit assistance; educational assistance; free medical and dental services; and
exemption from training fees for socioeconomic programs, among others.
The law also grants indigent senior citizens additional privileges such as free vaccines, social
pension and mandatory PhilHealth coverage according to the lawmaker.
The other floor sponsor of HB 5752 was Espina, chairman of the House Committee on Population
and Family Relations, which endorsed the proposal for plenary approval. (30) rbb