MANILA, PHILIPPINES – The House of Representatives passed house bills that aimed to enhance the benefits for senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWD).
In a plenary session, three proposed legislative measures—House Bill Nos. 10312, 10313, and 10314—were approved via voice vote. These bills will expand the discounts, benefits, and privileges available to senior citizens and PWDs.
According to Agusan Del Sur Representative Alfelito Bascug, an estimated 1.2 million senior citizens and 1.5 million PWDs will benefit from these benefits.
“This will afford our PWDs and senior citizens greater financial relief as they struggle to have their budget for medical and food expenses on par with inflation,” Bascug said. “This vital legislation will surely uphold the preferential benefits rightfully deserved by these vulnerable sectors.”
Based on House Bill 10312, it is mandated to implement the 20 percent discount, value-added tax exemption, and a special discount on the purchase of basic commodities for the elderly and disabled.
Meanwhile, in House Bill No. 10313, it directs the concerned agencies to create a section in the eGov Ph Super App that aims to support senior citizens and PWD, as this will make government services more accessible, including healthcare, livelihood, social services, and information resources for the vulnerable beneficiaries.
In this section, senior citizens and PWD may access their government IDs, such as senior citizen IDs and PWD IDs. The digital copies will also be disclosed as valid IDs. Meanwhile, HB 10314 aims to equalize the benefits and privileges of senior citizens and PWDs to ensure equal access to essential services.