Legislative Research Service

Reference and Research Bureau

A PROPOSED BILL EXPANDING ASSISTANCE TO THE VULNERABLE

SECTORS OF THE PHILIPPINES

The Honorable Representative Stella Quimbo is seeking comments from the Legislative
Counseling Service on the proposed bill, “AN ACT INSTITUTIONALIZING A SIX PERCENT
BUDGETARY ALLOCATION OF BARANGAYS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF
PROGRAMS, PROJECTS, ACTIVITIES, AND SERVICES FOR SENIOR CITIZENS,
PERSONS WITH DISABILITY, AND SOLO PARENTS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE
THE PERTINENT PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7160, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS
THE “LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE” AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES."

SENIOR CITIZENS

In light of changing times and a greater emphasis on productivity, there appears to be a

tendency to regard senior citizens as unproductive and, in general, a burden to others. Although it
is not mandatory for those under the age of 60 or 65 to leave the workforce due to mandatory
requirements, they are often viewed as ineffective or unprepared to handle new tasks brought
about by modernization and technology. They are also subjected to outright discrimination when
looking for work because employers prefer younger candidates. The most serious problem that
senior citizens face is economic in nature. A large proportion of senior citizens live near or

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below the poverty line due to low or no income. Retirement plans are generally insufficient, and
inflation becomes a serious issue.

Changes associated with the aging process can be significant for any individual. These
changes and the loss of control pose the greatest threat to the quality of life of individuals,
especially when they are unpredictable and people are unprepared for them. Changes in work
(retirement), family, society, our bodies, and health-related issues necessitate alterations in our
perspectives and life structures. All of these are psychological, physical, and social obstacles that
can lead to a diminished quality of life if not addressed appropriately. On the other hand, this
stage of life affords the opportunity to seize new opportunities because individuals typically have
more time for social activities. Seniors possess a wealth of valuable life experiences that should
not be lost or wasted. Not only can society benefit from seniors with a high quality of life due to
their increased social engagement, but also through reduced social and health service
expenditures. This concern for the plight of senior citizens is a consequence of the rising number
of individuals aged 60 and older. The National Statistics Office (NSO) has reported a significant
increase in their number, despite their still-young population relative to other age groups.

The Philippines is one of the countries with an ageing population, with 7.4 percent of the 
population aged 60 and up in 2015 and expected to rise to 15.9 percent by 2045. They are more
likely to have a variety of medical conditions and comorbidities. Furthermore, they are less
economically active than the younger age groups. As a result of the predicted age growth in the
number of senior persons, more assistance is required in terms of health care and income security
for the elderly. In response to this, the government has enacted different laws and implemented
various social protection programs for them. The mandated coverage of senior people to
PhilHealth, as well as retirement benefits and pensions through SSS and GSIS for those formerly
involved in the formal economy are some of the measures instituted to address the situation.

A significant number of the senior citizens who have retired continue to work in the
formal as well as the informal labor sectors according to their capabilities and preferences.
According to studies that have been carried out, retirees who are still working full time put in an

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average of forty hours per week.1 All of these things point to the fact that senior citizens still
have the capacity to engage in gainful activities.

LEGISLATIONS

RA 7432 - AN ACT TO MAXIMIZE THE CONTRIBUTION OF SENIOR CITIZENS TO

NATION-BUILDING, GRANT BENEFITS AND SPECIAL PRIVILEGES AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES”, AS AMENDED, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

RA 7876 – AN ACT ESTABLISHING A SENIOR CITIZENS CENTER IN ALL CITIES AND

MUNICIPALITIES OF THE PHILIPPINES AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

RA 9257 – AN ACT GRANTING ADDITIONAL BENEFITS AND PRIVILEGES TO

SENIOR CITIZENS AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLI ACT NO. 7432,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “AN ACT TO MAXIMIZE THE CONTRIBUTION OF SENIOR
CITIZENS TO NATION-BUILDING, GRANT BENEFITS AND SPECIAL PRIVILEGES
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”, AS AMENDED, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”.

RA 9994 – EXPANDED SENIOR CITIZENS ACT OF 2010

RA 10366 – AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS TO

ESTABLISH PRECINCTS ASSIGNED TO ACCESSIBLE POLLING PLACES
EXCLUSIVELY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITY AND SENIOR CITIZENS

RA 10645 – AN ACT PROVIDING FOR MANDATORY PHILHEALTH COVERAGE FOR

ALL SENIOR CITIZENS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9994,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “EXPANDED SENIOR CITIZENS ACT PF 2010”

RA 10911 -AN ACT PROHIBITING DISCRIMINATION AGAINST ANY INDIVIDUAL IN

EMPLOYMENT ON ACCOUNT OF AGE AND PROVIDING PENALTIES THEREFOR

1
University of the Philippines Population Institute; NSO 2005

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RA 10154 -AN ACT REQUIRING ALL CONCERNED GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO ENSURE
THE EARLY RELEASE OF THE RETIREMENT PAY, PENSIONS, GRATUITIES AND OTHER
BENEFITS OF RETIRING GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES

RA 10868 -AN ACT HONORING AND GRANTING ADDITIONAL BENEFITS AND

PRIVILEGES TO FILIPINO CENTENARIANS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

RA 11350 – AN ACT CREATING THE NATIONAL COMMISSION OF SENIOR CITIZENS,

PROVIDING FOR ITS FUNCTIONS, ABOLISHING THE NATIONAL COORDINATING
COUNCIL AND MONITORING BOARD, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC
ACT NO. 7432, AS AMENDED, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THREREFOR

RA 11916 – AN ACT INCREASING THE SOCIAL PENSON OF INDIGENT SENIOR

CITIZENS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7432, ENTITLED “AN ACT TO MAXIMIZE THE CONTRIBUTION
OF SENIOR CITIZENS TO NATION-BUILDING, GRANT BENEFITS AND SPECIAL
PRIVILEGES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”, AS AMENDED, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

PERSONS WITH DISABILITY

In the Philippines, out of the 92.1 million household population, 1,443 people, or 1.57
percent are disabled. Persons with disabilities (PWD) accounted for 935,551 people in the 2000
Census on Population and Housing (CPH), accounting for 1.23 percent of the household
population.2 This means that sixteen (16) out of a thousand Filipinos were most likely subjected
to the biased treatment as a result of their disability. Technically, despite its small size, this
sector requires immediate attention and should not be overlooked. Many studies have been
conducted to expose how discrimination paved the way for PWDs to deviate from society. Laws

2
https://psa.gov.ph/content/persons-disability-comprised-123-percent-total-population

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and policies protecting them have continued to develop, but it is ironic that many PWDs are still
trapped within the portals of mockery and inequity.

Indeed, RA 7277, as amended, is the governing law in the country for protecting and
upholding the rights of people with disabilities. The amended law not only stated PWDs' rights
and privileges; it also established the implementation of discounts for specific products and
services that they require; the prohibition on discrimination, mocking, and vilification of PWDs;
and the corresponding obligation of each beneficiary before he can enjoy the grants.

To uphold the universal equality of rights envisioned by the United Nations Human
Rights Conventions and enshrined in the 1987 Philippine Constitution, all efforts had been
exhausted. However, many Persons with Disabilities are either unaware of the rules in place or
hesitant to use the privileges granted to them.

Studies identified various constraints, and these are : (1) those relating to the built and
natural environment; (2) economic issues; (3) emotional and psychological barriers; (4)
equipment-related barriers; (5) barriers related to the use and interpretation of guidelines, codes,
regulations, and laws; (6) information-related barriers; (7) professional knowledge, education,
and training issues; (8) perceptions and attitudes of non-PWD, including professionals; (9)
policies and procedures both at the facility (place of work) and in the community; and (10)
perceptions and attitudes of PWD.

LEGISLATIONS

RA07277 - AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE REHABILITATION, SELF-DEVELOPMENT

AND SELF-RELIANCE OF DISABLED PERSONS AND THEIR INTEGRATION INTO THE
MAINSTREAM OF SOCIETY AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

RA09442 - AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7227.  OTHERWISE KNOWN AS

THE 'MAGNA CARTA FOR DISABLED PERSONS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES'

RA10070 - AN ACT ESTABLISHING AN INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISM TO ENSURE

THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PROGRAMS AND SERVICES FOR PERSONS WITH
DISABILITIES IN EVERY PROVINCE, CITY AND MUNICIPALITY, AMENDING

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REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7227, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 'MAGNA CARTA FOR
DISABLED PERSONS', AS AMENDED, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

RA 10366 -AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS TO ESTABLISH

PRECINCTS ASSIGNED TO ACCESSIBLE POLLING PLACES EXCLUSIVELY FOR PERSONS
WITH DISABILITIES AND SENIOR CITIZENS

RA 10754 -AN ACT EXPANDING THE BENEFITS AND PRIVILEGES OF PERSONS WITH
DISABILITY (PWD)

RA 11106 -AN ACT DECLARING FILIPINO SIGN LANGUAGE AS THE NATIONAL SIGN
LANGUAGE OF THE FILIPINO DEAF AND THE OFFICIAL SIGN LANGUAGE OF
GOVERNMENT IN ALL TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING THE DEAF, AND MANDATING ITS
USE IN SCHOOLS, BROADCAST MEDIA, AND WORKPLACES

RA 11650 AN ACT INSTITUTING A POLICY OF INCLUSION AND SERVICES FOR

LEARNERS WITH DISABILITIES IN SUPPORT OF INCLUSIVE EDUCATION,
ESTABLISHING INCLUSIVE LEARNING RESOURCE CENTERS OF LEARNERS WITH
DISABILITIES IN ALL SCHOOLS DISTRICTS, MUNICIPALITIES AND CITIES, PROVIDING
FOR STANDARDS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
RA10524 - AN ACT EXPANDING THE POSITIONS RESERVED FOR PERSONS WITH
DISABILITY, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7227, AS
AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE MAGNA CARTA FOR PERSONS WITH
DISABILITY

RA11228 - AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE MANDATORY PHILHEALTH COVERAGE

FOR ALL PERSONS WITH DISABILITY (PWDs), AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7227, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "MAGNA
CARTA FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITY

SOLO PARENTS

In the Philippines, there are 14 million solo/single parents out of 94 million total
population in 2017. According to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD),
1,8 million or 11.9% of the nation's 15.1 million assessed households include a single parent.

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The number of single parents will continue to rise in the coming years. This is also the trend for
single parents in other parts of the world.3

There are numerous obstacles faced by solo parents. Their plight includes being
handicapped in domestic chores, playing multiple roles as mother and father to a child, earning a
living away from the child, and earning double to supplement the child's needs. Financial
concerns preoccupy sole parents the most4. If not properly managed, the challenges of being a
solo parent will hinder the child's development.

Consequently, being a solo parent in today's society can be an arduous and demanding
challenge. Every day, a solo parent must raise children, maintain a household financially,
manage competing work and home responsibilities, and seek out supportive social networks.

LEGISLATIONS

RA08972 AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE BENEFITS AND PRIVILEGES TO

SOLO PARENTS AND THEIR CHILDREN, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND
FOR OTHER PURPOSES

RA11210 - AN ACT INCREASING THE MATERNITY LEAVE PERIOD TO ONE

HUNDRED FIVE (105) DAYS FOR FEMALE WORKERS WITH AN OPTION TO EXTEND
FOR AN ADDITIONAL THIRTY (30) DAYS WITHOUT PAY, AND GRANTING AN
ADDITIONAL FIFTEEN (15) DAYS FOR SOLO MOTHERS, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

3
Stack and Meredith 2017, Burgund et al, 2013, Iovan and Oprea, n.d.

4
Dawe 2005, Burgund et al, 2013

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RA11861 - AN ACT GRANTING ADDITIONAL BENEFITS TO SOLO PARENTS,
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 8972, ENTITLED "AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR BENEFITS AND PRIVILEGES TO SOLO PARENTS AND THEIR
CHILDREN, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

DILG MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 2014-59

The proposed legislation seeks to institutionalize and expand DILG MC No. 2014-59, which
encourages all local chief executives to allocate 1 percent of their budget to programs/projects
benefiting senior citizens and the disabled.

The proposed bill authorizes an increase in allocation to 2 percent each for senior citizens,
individuals with disabilities, and solo parents.

Sources:

1. Silver Linings for the Elderly in the Philippines

Reyes, Celia M., Arboneda, Arkin A., Ronina D. ; 2019
2. The Filipino Elderly , Findings from 1996
University of the Philippines Population Institute
3. Human Rights of the Persons with Disabilities, An overview of the Issue of the Human
Rights of Persons with Disabilities at the International Level –
http:/www.un.org/esa/socdev/enable/rights/humanrights.htm (April 8, 2013)
4. Perspectives of Single Parents on Their Roles, Rules, Rituals and Relationships in the Community
Bagolong, S., 2016
5. Philippine Statistics Authority Website
6. House of Representatives Website

File Name: SOCIAL WELFARE: Vulnerable Sectors

RRB/MJMV/LDPD 12/14/22 4:45pm
mjmv 9:41am 12.15.22