Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 10913)
The main purpose of Republic Act No. 7432 is to maximize the contribution of senior citizens to nation building, grant them benefits and special privileges, and promote their welfare.
A 'senior citizen' is defined as any resident citizen of the Philippines at least sixty (60) years old, including retirees from government and private sectors, with an income not exceeding Sixty thousand pesos (P60,000.00) per annum, subject to review every three years by NEDA.
Senior citizens may provide tutorial and consultancy services, teach hobbies and income-generating skills, deliver lectures in specialized fields, transfer new skills from training, and undertake other appropriate community services as determined by the OSCA.
Senior citizens are exempt from the payment of individual income taxes provided their annual taxable income does not exceed the property level as determined each year by NEDA.
Senior citizens are granted a 20% discount on transportation services, hotels, restaurants, recreation centers, medicines, and a minimum of 20% discount on admission fees to cultural, leisure, and amusement places such as theaters and cinemas.
Senior citizens are entitled to free medical and dental services in government establishments nationwide, subject to guidelines issued by the Department of Health, GSIS, and SSS.
They are given a realty tax holiday for the first five years of operation and priority in the building or maintenance of provincial or municipal roads leading to these homes or communities.
The OSCA is an office established in the Office of the Mayor, headed by a designated councilor and assisted by a Community Development Officer, responsible for planning, implementing, and monitoring programs for senior citizens, maintaining registries, and issuing identification cards.
Violations are punishable by imprisonment for not more than one month, a fine of up to One thousand pesos (P1,000.00), or both.
The municipality, through the mayor, is responsible for ensuring full implementation of the Act's provisions.