Law Summary
Definition of Key Terms
- "Senior citizens": individuals aged at least 60 years.
- "Center": an establishment within every city or municipality offering recreational, educational, health, and social programs specifically for senior citizens.
Establishment of Senior Citizens Centers
- A Senior Citizens Center must be established in every city and municipality.
- These centers are supervised directly by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in cooperation with local government units.
Functions of the Centers
- Identify the needs, training requirements, and opportunities for senior citizens at the local level.
- Initiate and implement income-generating activities and work schemes to supplement senior citizens' earnings.
- Facilitate linkages with provincial government units, other government agencies, city and municipal councils, the Federation of Senior Citizens Association of the Philippines, and NGOs.
- Deliver health care services, professional advice, volunteer training, and community self-help projects.
- Perform other necessary functions relevant to their objectives.
Staffing and Volunteer Involvement
- The DSWD Secretary may assign social workers to the centers and appoint other qualified personnel to effectively serve the elderly community.
- Volunteers from the private sector may be called upon to provide medical, educational, or other services.
Qualification and Disqualification of Senior Citizen Beneficiaries
- Senior citizens suffering from contagious diseases or who are mentally unfit and pose harm to others may be denied center benefits.
- Denial is based on certification by qualified government or private volunteer physicians.
- Affected individuals must be referred to appropriate government agencies for medical care or confinement.
Tax and Duty Exemptions
- Centers are exempt from customs duties, taxes, and tariffs on all equipment and supplies imported and used exclusively by the centers.
- This exemption applies also to donated items.
Rules and Regulations
- The DSWD, coordinating with other government agencies, must issue implementing rules within 60 days from the Act's approval.
- Violations by officials attract liability under the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (RA 6713) and other applicable laws.
Coordination Among Government Agencies
- The DSWD coordinates with the Department of Health and other agencies and local government units to ensure effective implementation and support.
Funding and Appropriations
- Funding for the centers shall be included in the General Appropriations Act annually.
- Operational subsidy is to be shared between the DSWD and the respective local government units.
Repealing Clause
- All inconsistent laws, decrees, executive orders, and regulations are modified, amended, or repealed accordingly to conform with this Act.
Effectivity
- The law takes effect 15 days after publication in two newspapers of general circulation.