The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a bill promoting job opportunities for senior citizens by granting firms that hire them additional tax incentives.

House Bill No. 10985 entitled Employment Opportunities for Senior Citizens and Private Entities’ Incentives Act received 173 affirmative votes when presented for third and final reading approval on Tuesday (November 19).

Authors of the bill include Reps. Sergio Dagooc (APEC Partylist); Bro. Eddie Villanueva (CIBAC Partylist); Rosanna “Ria” V. Vergara (Third District, Nueva Ecija); Rodolfo Ordanes (Senior Citizens Partylist); Joey Sarte Salceda 2nd District,Albay); Florida “Rida” P. Robes (Lone District, San Jose del Monte City) and Eulogio R. Rodriguez (Lone District, Catanduanes), among others.

The approved bill consolidated at least eight other legislative measures proposing the grant of more opportunities to job placements for seniors who are still qualified and willing to work. It also amends Republic Act No. 7432, as amended by RA 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010.

Speaker Martin Romualdez lauded the united stance of the Lower House in pushing for the swift passage of the measure.

“Retired or elderly individuals should not just be left to fend for themselves or depend entirely on their monthly pension. It’s about time we help ensure automatic employment allocation for Filipinos aged 60 years old and above,” said Romualdez.

Robes, who authored HB 1505 that was included in the approved bill, noted that there are many Filipino senior citizens who could be assets to both private firms and government agencies.

“I strongly believe that if we provide our senior citizens avenues where they can still be active, our society will be at an advantage. Elderly employees are more emotionally matured, more independent, competent skilled and dedicated,” she said.

For her part, Vergara called on private companies to recall retired employees back to work, especially those who contributed hugely in making their firms more profitable. She said elderly citizens remain assets in the work area and could serve as inspiration for younger employees to emulate and follow.


Villanueva, author of HB 2284, said the bill mandates the Department of Labor and Employment, through the Public Employment Services Offices to provide information and matching services to senior citizens who have the capacity and desire to work or be re-employed.

Government agencies and private entities are enjoined to institute an employment program that will promote the general well-being of senior citizens and “ensure access to employment opportunities.

To encourage private companies to hire elderly Filipinos, the bill provides for an additional 10 percent deduction on their taxable income to make it 25 percent.

On the other hand, government agencies will waive fees on clearances and documentary requirements for senior jobseekers.

“Nothing in this Act, shall prevent government agencies and private entities from hiring qualified senior citizens for consultancy and other similar arrangements or from initiating or providing greater benefits, or improving the working conditions or terms of employment of senior citizens beyond the minimum requirements provided by applicable laws,” the bill provided.

Salceda championed the increase in the tax benefit for companies hiring senior citizens as chairman of the House’s tax committee.

“Senior Citizens who wish to continue working benefit immensely from gainful employment. And the companies that hire them benefit from their experience, wisdom, and accumulated years of expertise. They also have excellent work ethic,” Salceda said.

“I championed this proposal because it is also performance based. The revenue losses only come if the companies actually hire seniors.”

The bill is part of a host of proposals that came out of marathon hearings Salceda held with the Committees on Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities earlier this year.

Salceda adds that many senior citizens wish to continue working because of inadequate pension benefits.

“The unfortunate fact is that our Social Security System is inadequate for funding the needs of old age. That is why many seniors also wish to continue working,” Salceda said.

“We need to solve that, for sure, but the structural reforms in the country’s pension system won’t benefit this generation of pensioners. So, for those who wish to augment their retirement income with work, the opportunities should be available.” Salceda added.

“This bill is part of a package of reforms we introduced to open opportunities for seniors. Earlier this year, we got DOLE to allow seniors to benefit from its TUPAD program. We are also pushing for more job retraining programs for seniors who wish to continue working.”