MANILA, Philippines — ISANG panukalang batas ang inihain ngayon sa Senado ni Senate President Vicente Sotto III na naglalayong dagdagan ng P500 ang minimum na monthly social pension ng mga indigent o mahihirap na mga senior citizens sa buong bansa.
Ayon kay Sotto, layunin ng Senate Bill No. 2243 na amyendahan ang Senior Citizens Act at taasan ang social pension na natatanggap ng mga indigent senior citizens.
Sa ilalim ng panukalang batas, maaaring makatanggap ng monthly social pension na hindi bababa sa P1,000 ang isang mahirap na senior citizen mula sa kasalukuyang P500 kada buwan.
“To address their pressing needs, this bill seeks to provide an additional financial assistance to indigent senior citizens. This is in the form of a monthly stipend amounting to an additional P500 from the current social pension, for a total of P1,000. This will aid our indigent senior citizens defray the cost of daily subsistence and other medical needs,” ang naging pahayag ni Sotto sa explanatory note ng panukalang batas.
Paliwanag ng opisyal na noong 2019, mahigit sa 3.7 million na ang bilang ng mga senior citizen sa buong Pilipinas.
“These are 3,796,791 individuals who are struggling to meet with their needs for basic commodities and healthcare due to lack of permanent source of income since they can no longer work fully and seek gainful employment,” dagdag pa ni Sotto.
Paliwanag pa nito na kahit may mga available benefits at pribilihiyo para sa mga senior citizens sa ngayon sa bansa, makukuha lamang ito ng mga seniors sa mga malls at iba pang malalaking service providers na sa ngayon, hindi din napupuntahan ng mga ito dahil sa mahal na presyo ng mga bilihin sa nabanggit na mga establishments.
“These discounts are mostly not available in the neighborhood stores and in their local wet markets,”
“Thus, the rising cost of living and the added financial burden brought about by the present pandemic has taken a toll on our indigent senior citizens,” dagdag pa ni Sotto.
Para sa opisyal, malaking tulong ang dagdag na P500 para sa pang araw-araw na pangangailangan at medical needs ng mga mahihirap na matatanda.
Sa ilalim ng Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, maituturing na indigent senior citizen ang mga sumusunod:
Nasa edad 60-anyos pataas
Mahina ang pangangatawan, may sakit o kapansanan
Walang pension na natatanggap o permanenteng pinagkukunan ng income, compensation o financial assistance mula mga kamag-anak upang suportahan ang basic needs nito
Sa ilalim ng panukalang batas, inaatasan din ang DSWD na i-review at kung kinakailangan, baguhin ang halaga kada dalawang taon ayon na rin sa pag-aproba ng Department of Budget and Management o DBM.
MANILA, Philippines — INIHAIN ngayon sa House of Representative ang isang panukalang batas na may layuning maging exempted ang mga senior citizens sa pagbabayad ng income taxes.
Layunin nito na matulungan ang mga senior citizen na makapag-ipon para sa kanilang retirement.
Ayon kay party list Rep. Rodolfo Ordanes, chairman ng House senior citizens committee, hindi na na-i-enjoy ng karamihan sa mga matatanda ang kanilang pag-retiro dahil sa kawalan ng sapat na pera dahil sa tumataas na presyo ng mga bilihin at serbisyo.
Sa House Bill 8832 na inihain ni Ordanes, bibigyan nito ng income tax exemptions ang mga nagtatrabahong Filipino na nasa edad 60-anyos pataas. Magiging exempted din umano sa buwis ang kanilang mga holiday pay, overtime pay, night shift, differential pay at hazard pay.
Sakaling maging isang batas, babaguhin din ng Income Tax Exemption for Senior Citizens’ Act ang National Internal Revenue Code na inamyendahan ng Republic Act No. 10963 o Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act.
“Through this, we can finally fulfill our constitutional mandate to promote social justice by protecting and upholding the welfare of the vulnerable sectors of our society while helping them achieve the Filipino dream of a comfortable retirement,” ang naging pahayag ni Ordanes.
Paliwanag ni Ordanes, para maging komportable ang isang senior citizen sa pag-retiro nito, nangangailangan ito ng P40,000 hanggang P60,000 kada buwan.
Base umano sa datus ng Philippine Statistics Authority o PSA, 75% sa mga matatanda ay hindi miyembro ng Social Security System o SSS na maaaring magbigay sa kanila ng buwanang pension.
Sa mga tumatanggap ng monthly pension, 60% sa mga ito ang tumatanggap ng P5,000 samantala 4% lamang ang tumatanggap ng P30,000 pataas.
The social pension for the senior citizens in the Philippines even though a not so big amount could mean a lot for its recipients. Currently, the government is giving P500 every month for qualified senior citizens under RA 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010. The Congress approved the proposal to increase it to P1,000.00 and needed to get the approval of the plenary to be fully enacted as a law.
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Pursuant to the eligibility criteria as may be determined by the DSWD, indigent senior citizens are entitled to a monthly pension amounting to Php 500.00 to augment the daily subsistence and other medical needs of senior citizens.
The grant of social pension is subjected to a review every two (2) years by Congress, in consultation with the DSWD within three months after convening the Congress.
A new proposed bill was already approved in the lower house and must have to be approved by the plenary to be enacted as law.
Under the proposed bill, the existing P500.00 will be increased to P1,000.00 to further serve the qualified indigent senior citizens.
House Bill 7227 seeks to increase the monthly stipend for indigent senior citizen double the existing amount proposed by Representative Emi Calixto-Rubiano was already approved by the House of Representatives. Rubiano said that the P500 social pension is not even enough to cover their medical expenses, as quoted in the proposed bill.
Senior citizens have special privileges and perks but not every one of them knows about it. The fare for domestic air, and sea travel, including advanced booking, shall be subject to the 20% discount and VAT exemption, if applicable.
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Senior citizens have special privileges and perks but not every one of them knows about it. As provided in our Constitution, the state is duty-bound to recognize the rights of senior citizens by providing support through various social systems. Thus, senior citizens are granted benefits and privileges that range from 20% discount and VAT exemption to mandatory membership in the government’s healthcare system, Philhealth.
To further educate our senior citizens and their families, we gather the, that all Filipinos would enjoy when they reach their senior years.
TWENTY PERCENT (20%) DISCOUNT AND VAT EXEMPTION Medical-related privileges A.) MEDICINE AND DRUG PURCHASES
The 20% discount and VAT exemption shall apply to the purchase of the following: Generic or branded medicines and drugs by or for senior citizens, including the purchase of influenza and pneumococcal vaccines. Vitamins and mineral supplements that are medically prescribed by an attending physician for prevention and treatment of diseases, illness, or injury. B.) ESSENTIAL MEDICAL SUPPLIES, ACCESSORIES, AND EQUIPMENT
The 20% discount and VAT exemption privilege shall also apply to following: The purchase of eyeglasses, Hearing aids, Dentures, Prosthetics, Artificial bone replacements like steel, walkers, crutches, wheelchairs (whether manual or electric-powered), canes/quad canes Geriatric diapers, and Other essential medical supplies, accessories and equipment by or for senior citizens. C.) MEDICAL AND DENTAL SERVICES IN PRIVATE FACILITIES
Medical and dental services, diagnostic and laboratory tests such as but not limited to X-Rays, computerized tomography scans, and blood tests, that are requested by a physician as necessary for the diagnosis and/or treatment of an illness or injury are subject to the 20% discount and VAT exemption. D.) PROFESSIONAL FEES OF ATTENDING PHYSICIAN/S
The fees of attending physician/s in all private hospitals, medical facilities, outpatient clinics and home health care facilities shall be subject to the 20% discount and VAT exemption. E.) PROFESSIONAL FEES OF LICENSED HEALTH WORKERS PROVIDING HOME HEALTH CARE SERVICES
As endorsed by private hospitals or employed through home health care employment agencies are entitled to the 20% discount and VAT exemption. The burden of the discount shall be borne solely by the employment agency given the health worker’s very minimal share compared to the agency fee. Sponsored Links
Domestic transportation privileges
The fare for domestic air, and sea travel, including advanced booking, shall be subject to the 20% discount and VAT exemption, if applicable. Fare in public railways, including LRT, MRT, and PNR, fares in buses (PUB), jeepneys (PUJ), taxi and shuttle services (AUV), are likewise subject to the 20% discount and VAT exemption, if applicable.
Hotels, restaurants, recreational centers, and places of leisure, and funeral services The term “hotel” shall include beach and mountain resorts. The discount shall be for room accommodation and other amenities offered by the establishment such as but not limited to: Hotel-based parlors and barbershops, restaurants, massage parlor, spa, sauna bath, aromatherapy rooms, workout gyms, swimming pools, jacuzzis, ktv bars, internet facilities, food, drinks and other services offered.In restaurants
The discount shall be for the purchase of: Food Drinks Dessert, and Other consumable items served by the establishments offered for the consumption of the general public.
Guidelines for dine-in, take out and availing of the senior citizen discounts in restaurants and similar establishments and services
For Dine-in services, the privilege must be personally availed of by the senior citizen and no proxies or authorization in favor of another person who is not a senior citizen will be honored. The 20% senior citizen discount shall not apply to “children’s meals” which are primarily prepared and intentionally marketed for children. Similarly, the 20% senior citizen discount shall not apply to “pre-contracted” party packages or bulk orders. Consistent with the intent of the Act, the phrase “exclusive use and enjoyment” of the senior citizen shall mean “for the senior citizen’s personal consumption” only. Food, drinks and other consumable items purchased by the senior citizen shall be processed separately as an independent transaction from his/her non-eligible companions to ensure that it is for his/her exclusive consumption and to enable computation of the 20% discount and the exemption from the Value Added Tax (VAT), which only the senior citizen is entitled to.
If the group of diners is composed entirely of senior citizens, all of whom present valid senior citizens IDs, each shall be entitled to a 20% discount and exemption from Value Added Tax.
The 20% discount shall apply to Take-Out/Take-Home/Drive-Thru orders as long as it is the senior citizen himself/herself who is present and personally ordering, and he/she can show a valid senior citizen ID card.
For Delivery Orders, the 20% discount shall likewise apply subject to certain conditions; i.e. senior citizen ID card number must be given while making the order over the telephone; the senior citizen ID card must also be presented upon delivery to verify the identity of the senior citizen entitled to the 20% discount. the Most Expensive Meal Combination (MEMC) shall apply to food purchases by senior citizens. The MEMC is an amount corresponding to the combination of the most expensive and biggest single-serving meal with beverage served in a quick service restaurant, is deemed flexible and is adjusted accordingly by food establishments to estimate a single food purchase for an individual senior citizen.
Recreations centers
The discount shall be for the utilization of services in the form of: Fees, Charges and rental for sports facilities or equipment, including golf cart rentals and green fees, Venues for ballroom dancing, yoga, badminton courts, bowling lanes, table or lawn tennis, workout gyms, martial arts facilities.
Note: Non-profit, stock golf and country clubs which are not open to the general public, and are private and for exclusive membership only as duly proven by their official Securities and Exchange (SEC) registration papers, are not mandated to give the 20% senior citizens discount. However, should restaurants and food establishments inside these country clubs be independent concessionaires and food sold are not consumable items under club membership dues, they must grant the 20% senior citizen discount.
Admission fees privilege The discount shall be applied to admission fees charged by: Theaters, Cinema houses and concert halls, Circuses, Carnivals, and other similar places of culture, leisure, and amusement such as museums and parks.
Funeral and burial services The beneficiary or any person who shall shoulder the funeral and burial expenses of the deceased senior citizen shall claim the discount under this Rule for the deceased senior citizen upon presentation of the death certificate.
Such expenses shall cover the purchase of: Casket or urn, Embalming, Cremation cost, and Other related services such as viewing or wake cost, pick-up from the hospital morgue, transport of the body to intended burial site in the place of origin, Note: This shall exclude obituary publication and the cost of the memorial lot.
OTHER PRIVILEGES Income tax exemption Exemption from training fees Free medical and dental services in government facilities Free vaccinations for indigent senior citizens Educational privileges Benefits and privileges for retirees Privileges on granting special discounts in special programs Express lanes privileges This article is filed under: Philippine Law, Senior Citizen, Senior Citizen Benefits
Senior citizens and Persons with disabilities (PWDs) have always enjoyed several benefits and privileges as provided by Philippine laws. One of the most important benefit is the 20% discount on medical and transportation costs among others. Now that more and more transactions are becoming online, different private and public agencies are adapting to the system. A newly approved resolution by theCivil Aeronautics Board (CAB) orders airlines to comply with the law, providing 20% discounts for Senior Citizens and PWDs for all online flight bookings.
The discount will be applied upon booking and payment. The individual availing the discount must present his or her Senior Citizen or PWD identification at the check-in counter. The airline company has the right to verify the provided identification by the subject. The discount may be revoked if the passenger fails to present his or her identification. Using forged documentation to avail discounts is punishable by law. What are the other 20% discounts for Senior Citizens?
Medical-related privileges
Domestic transportation privileges
Hotels, restaurants, recreational centers, and places of leisure
Recreations centers
Admission fees privilege
Funeral and burial services
Other privileges
Income tax exemption
Exemption from training fees
Free medical and dental services in government facilities
Free vaccinations for indigent senior citizens
Educational privileges
Benefits and privileges for retirees
Privileges on granting special discounts in special programs
Purchase of Medicines and Foods for Special Medical Purposes
Medical and Dental Services, Diagnostic and Laboratory Fees and Professional Fees of Attending Doctors
Domestic Air and Sea Travel
Land Transportation Travel
Funeral and Burial Services for the Death of a Person with Disability
Recent census data showed that there are about 7 million individuals aged 60 years old and over – comprising 6.8% of our population. PWD's comprise about 1.5% of the country, around 1,450,000 individuals.
We often see old people who aren't supposed to roam around alone on the streets due to their very old age. It could be a risk because most of them might have poor vision, hearing impairment or dementia. They are most likely to be lost or meet an accident. They should have at least anyone with them if they want to walk around.
In the case of Lola Maria or Dolores Malanom, 89 years old, she walks around selling "pastillas" to stay sharp and strong. According to her, if she will not do it, she might feel weak. Her family do not allow her to do it but Lola Maria/Dolores is very insistent.
A facebook user has brought Lola Dolores' case to the attention of DSWD. She was concerned about her carrying 2 heavy bags of pastillas going around LTO Lingayen selling it at her very old age.
The matter has been brought to the attention of DSWD Secretary Judy Taguiwalo and she responded quickly. She sought the help of DSWD Region 1, which asked assistance from the local government of Pangasinan to locate the old woman and to know her real status.
SWO II Mark Christopher Bobiles together with the Social Worker of the MSWD office of Lingayen Lorenza Decena went to her eldest daughter Dora Malanom and the Barangay Pangapisan Senior Citizen President.
They found out that Lola Dolores has 3 children who is presently living with her. they also found out that Lola Dolores is a social pension beneficiary aside from being supported by relatives abroad.
Selling of pastillas is Lola Dolores' personal decision and she is doing it in spite of her family's disapproval. The DSWD further look for any concern which they can offer assistance to lola Dolores but as to the last report, her family did not ask for anything. Secretary Judy Taguiwalo via her social media post, appeal to the public that they should not ignore if ever they saw any person with an old age that seems to be in need of some help. She advised everyone to bring it to the attention of the DSWD for them to extend any assistance. "Do not hesitate to help them," Taguiwalo said.
Indigent senior citizen will be having a good news this year.
It is because the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is planning to provide a monthly stipend to 2.8 million indigent senior citizens this 2017.
Target beneficiaries are those who are age 60 years old and above who are frail, sickly or with a disability; with no regular income or support from family and relatives, and without a pension from private or government institutions. The 2.8 million figure is more than double from the 1.3 million target beneficiaries last year in Social Pension for Indigent Senior Citizens (SPISC) Program.
The program has already an approved budget fund worth P17.94 billion this 2017, much bigger compared to P8.71 billion in 2016.
The objective of SPISC program is to grant poor senior citizens P500 to augment their daily subsistence, including their medical needs and aims to improve the living condition of eligible indigent senior citizens and to protect them from neglect and deprivation.
DSWD is the implementing agency of the program through its 17 field offices, in partnership with local government units and with Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs.
As of January 31 this year, a total of 1,331,747 senior citizens, of the target 1,375,970 beneficiaries for 2016, were able to receive their social pension.
The conduct of payout is still ongoing for the remaining 44,223 beneficiaries.
