CURRENT LEGISLATION ON ELDERLY
In the 11th Congress as of March 1999, there are continuous calls for
the amendment of the RA No.7432 also known as Senior Citizens Act.
These calls for amendment are mainly aimed at strengthening and
maximizing the benefits and special privileges that are being accorded
by the government to senior citizens. The remaining House Bill that
seeks amendment focuses on the Local Government Code of 1991 in
pushing for the Representation of Senior Citizens in the Sanggunians of
Barangays, Municipalities, Cities and Provinces.
It can be inferred that majority of the measures presented are local in
scope seeking to establish and construct Senior Citizens Center, Senior
Citizens Assistance Center and Senior Citizens’ Day Care. These bills that
are local in scope are mainly intended for some areas in the following
provinces/cities: Mountain Province, Quezon City, Agusan del Sur, Surigao
del Norte, Agusan del Norte, Leyte, Manila, and Northern Samar. Some
of the measures have been subject to initial deliberations. Nevertheless,
majority are still pending with the committees.
An Act establishing a Commission for Senior Citizens is also being
pushed as well as a Magna Carta for Older Persons. One of the two
House Resolutions calls for the immediate implementation of a Senior
Citizen Center Act of the Philippines. While the other House Resolution
pushes for an inquiry on the alleged non-compliance of drug companies
and drug merchandisers of the provision on the twenty percent (20%)
discount benefit granted to senior citizens under Republic Act
Numbered 7432. The latter House Resolution can be considered as
a response to the usual complaints of some senior citizens who
encountered difficulties in availing of the 20% discount.
In the Senate, there are three bills filed by different authors that
seem to focus on a similar subject which is the providing for the
maintenance and support of elderly members of the family and for other
purposes. Three bills call for the amendment of the Republic Act No.7432
also known as the Senior Citizens Act, while increased penalties for
violations of this act are also being pushed.For an increased participation and representation of the elderly, there
is a call for the creation of a Council for the Welfare of Senior Citizens
as well as a special polling place for the disabled and the elderly. A
sectoral representative from the senior citizens in every Sangguniang
Barangay, Sangguniang Bayan, Sangguniang Panlungsod, and
Sangguniang Panlalawigan is also being advocated as well as a Magna
Carta for Older Persons.
Two of the three Senate Resolutions are concerned with the
enforcement and implementation of R.A. No. 7432 also known as
the Senior Citizens Act of the Philippines. While the other Senate
Resolution calls for a conduct of a study, in aid of legislation, on the
practice of insurance providers of denying outright the senior citizens
and other elderly health insurance coverage and the possibility of the
government providing medical subsidy or financial and other assistance
to senior citizens