SEN. Ramon Revilla Jr. has filed a proposed measure which seeks to lower the qualifying age of senior citizens to 56 years from 60 so an individual can senior get benefits earlier.
Revilla, in Senate Bill No. 1573 which aims to amend Republic Act 7432, said the COVID-19 pandemic served as an eye opener as many Filipinos have died without reaching 60.
“Kaya habang may oras pa eh bigyan halaga na natin sila sa pamamagitan ng pagpapa-abot ng benepisyo (Let us value them by letting them have earlier what will be due them while there is still time),” he said.
Citing data provided by the Department of Health, Revilla said 7.33 percent of COVID-19 cases among Filipino senior citizens resulted in death, compared to 0.76 percent mortality among those with age 18 to 59 years old as of December 2022.
Under the current law, senior citizens are entitled to the following: 20 percent discount and VAT-exemption on medicines, medical supplies and equipment, transportation fare including land and domestic air and sea travel fares, hotels, restaurants, recreation centers, and other places of leisure such as cinemas; income tax exemption for minimum wage earners; minimum of 5 percent discount on monthly water and electricity bills; exemption from training fees for socioeconomic programs; free medical, dental, diagnostic, and laboratory services in all government facilities; provision of express lanes in all commercial and government establishments; and death benefit assistance, among others.
Revilla also filed Senate Bill No. 1558 which seeks to require establishments to provide priority seating for senior citizens. As provided in the bill, establishments including, but not limited to, restaurants, libraries, recreational centers, and venue halls shall reserve and designate best possible seats and tables to senior citizens.
