Amending Sec. 4 of R.A. No. 9994, Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010

Senate Office of the secretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE) REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) ) 26 MAY -6 A10:10 First Regular Session SENAT 1 13 RECEIVED BY. S.B. No. - Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS AN ACT AMENDING SECTION 4 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9994, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "EXPANDED SENIOR CITIZENS ACT OF 2010," AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE Article II, Section 9 of the Constitution provides that the "State shall promote a just and dynamic social order that will ensure the prosperity and independence of the nation and free the people from poverty through policies that provide adequate social services, promote full employment, a rising standard of living, and an improved quality of life for all"; Republic Act No. 9994, otherwise known as the "Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010," grants mandatory discounts and value-added tax exemptions to senior citizens in recognition of their invaluable contribution to society and to promote their welfare and well-being. However, the cost of compliance to these discounts often passes on as additional financial burden to consumers through higher prices of goods and services. This situation contributes to increased costs for the general public at a time of persistent inflationary pressures and economic uncertainty. Thus, there is a need to amend Section 4 of Republic Act No. 9994 to provide a more equitable mechanism for the implementation of senior citizen discounts, while ensuring that the welfare of senior citizens is protected without unduly burdening consumers. Given the abovementioned circumstances, the approval of this measure is earnestly sought. mee h. Marca IMÉE R. MARCOS

Senate Office of the secretarp TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) MAY -6 A10:10 First Regular Session RECEIVED BY SENATE 113 S.B. No. - Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS AN ACT AMENDING SECTION 4 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9994, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "EXPANDED SENIOR CITIZENS ACT OF 2010," AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Section 4 (c) of Republic Act No. 9994, as amended, otherwise

known as the "Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010", is hereby further amended to read as follows: "SEC. 4. Privileges for the Senior Citizens. — The senior citizens shall be entitled to the following: XXX XXX XXX "(c) the grant of a minimum of five percent (5%) discount relative to the monthly utilization of water and electricity supplied by public utilities: Provided, That the individual meters for the foregoing utilities are registered in the name of the senior citizen residing therein: Provided, further, That the monthly consumption does not exceed one hundred kilowatt hours (100 kWh) of electricity and thirty cubic meters (30 m3) of water: Provided, furthermore, That the privilege is granted per household regardless of the number of senior citizens residing therein: PROVIDED, FINALLY, THAT THE COST OF THE DISCOUNT GRANTED UNDER THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL BE SHOULDERED EQUALLY BY THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT, THROUGH APPROPRIATIONS UNDER THE GENERAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT, AND BY THE PRIVATE DISTRIBUTION UTILITIES CONCERNED, ON A FIFTY-FIFTY (50-50) BASIS; AND THAT IN NO CASE SHALL THE COST OF SUCH DISCOUNT BE PASSED ON, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, TO THE END-

CONSUMERS THROUGH RATES, FEES, CHARGES, OR ANY FORM OF TARIFF ADJUSTMENT. XXX XXX XXX"

SEC. 2. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The Department of Social

Welfare and Development shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act.

SEC. 3. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is held invalid or

unconstitutional, the provisions not otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting.

SEC. 4. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, rules or regulations,

or any part thereof, inconsistent with any provision of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 5. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,