Law Summary
Definition of Terms
- Senior citizen: Filipino resident at least 60 years old.
- Geriatrics: Medical science study of old age changes and diseases.
- Lodging establishment: Includes hotels, inns, apartments, catering to tourists or travelers.
- Medical and dental services include hospital care, professional fees, diagnostic and laboratory tests.
- Nearest surviving relative is the legal spouse or relatives in a specific order if none survives.
- Home health care service: Health/supportive care provided at home by licensed health care professionals.
- Indigent senior citizen: Elderly with no income or assistance, frail or disabled, as determined by DSWD.
Privileges for Senior Citizens
- 20% discount and VAT exemption on medicines, vaccines, medical supplies, professional fees, diagnostic tests.
- Discount also applies on land and domestic air/sea transportation fares.
- Discounts on services in hotels, restaurants, recreation centers, and admission fees for cultural venues.
- Discounts on funeral and burial services.
- Exemption from individual income taxes for minimum wage-earning senior citizens.
- Minimum 5% discount on monthly water and electricity bills with usage limits.
- Exemption from fees for socioeconomic programs.
- Free medical and dental services in government facilities.
- Free vaccination for indigent senior citizens.
- Educational assistance for higher education and short-term courses.
- Continuance and review of benefits from GSIS, SSS, and PAG-IBIG.
- Special discounts for basic commodities and provision of express lanes or priority service.
- Death benefit assistance of at least Php2,000 to nearest surviving relatives.
- Proof of entitlement via OSCA ID card, passport or other documents.
- Option to avail higher discount if promotional discount exceeds provided one.
- Establishments may claim discounts as tax deductions with appropriate documentation.
Government Assistance
- Employment support for senior citizens desiring work, with additional tax deductions for private employers.
- Design and implementation of training and livelihood support programs.
- Access to formal and nonformal education through DepED, TESDA, CHED.
- National health program and geriatric wards in government hospitals.
- Social services including self/social enhancement, after care, neighborhood support, and substitute family care.
- Special housing needs included in the national shelter program.
- Programs to improve access to public transportation.
- Incentives for foster care providers including tax holidays and priority infrastructure.
- Social pension program providing Php500 monthly stipend to indigent senior citizens.
- Mandatory PhilHealth coverage for indigent senior citizens funded by local government units.
- Social safety nets including assistance during disasters or calamities funded by LGU disaster funds.
Office for Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA)
- Established in every city and municipality, headed by a senior citizen appointed by the mayor for 3 years.
- Appointment requires nomination by senior citizen organizations and removal only for specific reasons.
- OSCA head receives honorarium similar to Salary Grade 10.
- Duties include planning and monitoring programs, maintaining registry of senior citizens, issuing ID cards.
- Functions also include information dissemination, monitoring compliance with the Act, reporting violations, and assisting in filing complaints.
- Works alongside city or municipal social welfare officers and maintains linkages with NGOs and barangays.
Penalties
- Refusal to honor senior citizen cards or violate provisions: imprisonment 2 to over 6 years and fines from Php50,000 to Php200,000 depending on repetition.
- Abuse of privileges punished with imprisonment (minimum 6 months) and fines.
- Officials of corporate offenders held liable.
- Foreign offenders subject to immediate deportation after serving sentence.
- Business permits and franchises can be revoked upon violations after due process.
Monitoring and Coordinating Mechanism
- National Coordinating and Monitoring Board established.
- Chaired by Secretary of DSWD with Vice Chair from DILG Secretary.
- Members include Secretaries of DOJ, DOH, DTI, and five representatives from accredited senior citizens NGOs.
- Board may invite resource persons from other agencies or NGOs without voting rights.
Implementation and Appropriations
- Secretary of DSWD tasked to issue implementing rules and regulations within 60 days.
- Relevant government agencies and NGOs participate in the formulation.
- Local Government Units appropriate funds for OSCA operations.
- National agencies include related program funding in their budgets.
- Health program and social pension funded by DOH and DSWD regular appropriations respectively.
Repealing, Separability, and Effectivity Clauses
- All inconsistent laws, orders, or regulations are repealed or modified accordingly.
- Declaration of unconstitutionality of any provision does not affect other provisions.
- The Act takes effect 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette or at least two newspapers.