Amending R. a. No. 11350 (National Commission of Senior Citizens Act)

Dellate Ke Office of the sectary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) First Regular Session 25 AUG 27 A11 :28 SENAT566 S. B. No. RECEIVED BY: Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11350, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "NATIONAL COMMISSION OF SENIOR CITIZENS ACT", AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE The National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC), which is under the control and supervision of the Office of the President, was created pursuant to Section 3 of Republic Act (RA) No. 11350 signed on 25 July 2019. The Commission is mandated to ensure the full implementation of laws, policies, and programs of the government pertaining to senior citizens, review and conduct studies on the same, and recommend policy to Congress and the President. Section 11 of RA No. 11350 further requires the transfer of all functions, programs, projects and activities for the poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged senior citizens from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to the NCSC. However, even after more than five (5) years since its creation, the NCSC still remains not fully operational. Thus, the Commission is unable to perform its mandate to safeguard the welfare of senior citizens who are "one of the most vulnerable sectors of society." In fact, Senior Citizens Representative Rodolfo Orfanes also noted, in his privilege speech last year, that the "NCSC has languished in reaching milestones, showing no progress in its functions since Quijano took the helm in 2020'. As of date, none of the DSWD programs for older persons has been transferred to the Commission. Thus, this bill seeks to amend certain provisions of RA No. 11350 to reduce the NCSC into a policy-making body to ensure the continued promotion and protection of the rights and privileges of Filipino senior citizens. In view of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. Imeé h. Marca MEER. MARCOS

Senate Office of the Strat TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) First Regular Session 25 AUG 27 A11 :28 SENATE 66 RECEIVED BY: S. B. No. Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 11350, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "NATIONAL COMMISSION OF SENIOR CITIZENS ACT", AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Section 3 of Republic Act No. 11350 is hereby amended to read

as follows: "Section 3. Creation of the National Commission of Senior Citizens. - There is hereby created the National Commission of Senior Citizens, hereinafter referred to as the Commission, and which shall be under the Office of the President. The Commission shall establish its principal office in the National Capital Region and it may set up field offices in coordination with appropriate government agencies. THE COMMISSION SHALL BE THE SOLE POLICY-MAKING BODY OF THE GOVERNMENT WHICH SHALL BE TASKED TO COORDINATE, MONITOR, AND EVALUATE THE PROGRAMS AND ACTION PLANS OF THE GOVERNMENT PERTAINING TO THE WELFARE OF SENIOR CITIZENS PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT."

SEC. 2. Section 7 (a) of Republic Act No. 11350 is hereby deleted,

subparagraphs (b) to (h) are hereby redesignated as subparagraphs (a) to (g), respectively, and Section 7 (b) is hereby amended to read as follows: "Section 7. Functions. - The Commission shall: [(a) Ensure the full implementation of laws, policies, and programs of the government pertaining to senior citizens; review and conduct studies on the

- -.. same: and recommend appropriate actions thereon to Congress and the President]; [(D)] (A) Formulate policies AND PROGRAMS for the promotion and protection of the rights and well-being of senior citizens, REVIEW AND CONDUCT STUDIES ON THE SAME, AND RECOMMEND APPROPRIATE ACTIONS THEREON TO CONGRESS AND THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT; XXX XXX XXX"

SEC. 3. Section 9 of Republic Act No. 11350 is hereby amended to read as

follows: rules, regulations and directives of the Commission; the management of the Commission's daily operations; and for coordinating and supervising the activities of the different offices, divisions, and units of the Commission. XXX xxX xXX"

SEC. 4. Section 11 of Republic Act No. 11350 is hereby deleted and Sections

twelve to sixteen are hereby renumbered as Sections eleven to fifteen, respectively.

SEC. 5. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive

order, letter of instruction, administrative order, proclamation, charter, rule or regulation and/or parts thereof contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly.

SEC. 6. Separability Clause. - If for any reason, any section or provision of this

Act is declared unconstitutional or invalid, other sections or provisions which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

SEC. 7. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days

following its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation. Approved,