It is the policy of the state to take care of the interest and welfare of senior citizens, to the extent of providing them adequate health care and employment opportunities so that they will maintain positive attitude toward their remaining years and contribute further to the good of society. To achieve this purpose, the state shall provide incentives to business firms and other organizations that will enable seniors to achieve a healthful and productive state during their remaining lives.
Consistent with this state policy, Hon. Francisco G. Datol Jr., Representative—Senior Citizens Party-list filed in November of last year House Bill (HB) 6719 known as the “Seniors Employment Opportunities Act of 2017.”
The intent and purpose of this Act is to provide more opportunities for seniors to get employed by private firms by granting such firms that employ senior citizens the same benefit that private firms that employ persons with disabilities (PWDs) get as an incentive from the government in the form of allowance deduction from gross income equivalent to 25 percent of salaries and wages paid to PWDs under Republic Act (RA) 10524 (Section 4, HB 6719).
To achieve this legislative intent and purpose, Section 5. Government Assistance, second paragraph of subsection (a) Employment, RA 9994, is proposed to be amended to read as follows:
“Private entities that will employ senior citizens as employees, upon effectivity of this Act, shall be entitled to an additional deduction, equivalent to 25 percent of the total amount paid as salaries and wages to senior citizens, regardless of whether the income-tax return was filed under the itemized-deduction or optional-deduction system: Provided, however, that such employment shall continue for a period at least six months: Provided, further, that the annual income of the senior citizen does not exceed the latest poverty threshold as determined by the National Statistical Coordination Board of the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) for that year.” (Section 5, HB 6719)
Private firms that employ seniors shall, likewise, provide senior employees medical care and attention the same health benefits as those provided to other employees through the Philippine Health Insurance Corp., to which they belong as lifetime member. (Section 6, HB 6719)
I am proud to be 60 plus and enjoying the benefits of “seniority.” Many senior citizens like me, I am certain, are still mentally alert, physically able and productive. HB 6719 (Explanatory Notes) recognizes that “the experiences of seniors accumulated through their work and expertise in specialized fields can still be harnessed for productive purposes that enable seniors to contribute to the economic well-being of the community they serve and ultimately the country. Otherwise, if the seniors remain unemployed and idle, they deteriorate faster and become burdens to their family and the community.”
Indeed, life begins at 60!