Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 9994)
The official title of Republic Act No. 9994 is the "Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010".
A senior citizen or elderly refers to any resident citizen of the Philippines who is at least sixty (60) years old.
Senior citizens are entitled to a 20% discount and exemption from VAT on the sale of medicines, professional medical fees, medical and dental services, land transportation fares, domestic air and sea transport fares, hotel services, admission fees to cultural and amusement places, and funeral services, among others.
The first violation incurs imprisonment of 2 to 6 years and a fine of Php50,000 to Php100,000. Subsequent violations carry imprisonment of 2 to 6 years and fines of Php100,000 to Php200,000. Abuse of privileges results in imprisonment of 6 months to 1 year and fines of Php50,000 to Php100,000.
OSCA plans, implements and monitors programs for senior citizens, maintains a list of senior citizens, issues ID cards, serves as an information center, monitors compliance with the law, reports violations, and assists senior citizens in filing complaints against violators.
Government assistance includes employment matching and incentives for employers, access to education, integrated health services with specialized geriatric care, social services like caregiving and residential homes, housing programs, public transport access, foster care incentives, social pension, mandatory PhilHealth coverage for indigent senior citizens, and social safety nets.
Indigent senior citizens are entitled to a monthly stipend of five hundred pesos (Php500.00) to help with daily subsistence and medical needs, subject to review every two years by Congress in consultation with the DSWD.
Senior citizens may present an ID card issued by OSCA, their Philippine passport, or other documents establishing citizenship and that they are at least 60 years old as per the rules and regulations.
The Board, composed of secretaries of key government departments and representatives from NGOs, coordinates and monitors the implementation of programs under the Act, calls on resource persons, and ensures compliance with the law's provisions.
Private entities employing senior citizens are entitled to an additional deduction from gross income equivalent to 15% of total salaries and wages paid to senior citizens, provided the employment lasts at least six months and the senior citizen's annual income does not exceed the poverty threshold.