Bill ensuring employability of seniors gets House nod

MANILA, Philippines — Efforts to ensure employment for senior citizens gained a boost after the House committee on ways and means yesterday approved a bill providing for it.

The panel chaired by Rep. Joey Salceda passed the unnumbered bill, which consolidates related measures expanding employment opportunities for the elderly.

The bill mandates the state to employ seniors who have the capacity and desire to work or be re-employed.

Seniors would be matched with available job opportunities by the Department of Labor and Employment.

“All government agencies and private entities shall institute an employment program that shall promote the general well-being of senior citizens and ensure access to employment opportunities to those who have the qualifications, capacity and interest to be employed,” the bill reads.

Congress took 32 years to harmonize benefits and employment opportunities given to people with disabilities (PWDs), Salceda noted.

The measure shall be known as the “Employment Opportunities for Senior Citizen and Private Entities’ Incentives Act.”

The proposed legislation “goes beyond creating jobs,” ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo said.

“It fosters social inclusion, keeps seniors mentally and physically stimulated and contributes to their financial security,” Tulfo, one of the bill’s principal authors, said in his sponsorship remark.

“(Companies) employing senior citizens can bring stability, loyalty and wealth of experience to the workplace,” he added.

Seniors often require less training and can serve as mentors to younger colleagues, he noted.

Easier discounts

Meanwhile, the energy utility provider’s efforts in easing the application of discounts on the electric bills of seniors and PWDs have been lauded by Salceda.

The application process is more accessible online through a special website of the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), he noted.

“I requested Meralco to make this available, in consonance with the efforts of the committee on ways and means to improve the privileges of vulnerable sectors,” he said.

Salceda requested Meralco to remove some documentary requirements such as a barangay clearance.

“I hope all corporations are as proactive in complying with their obligations to PWDs and senior citizens. This site is still in test mode, so we can still make comments,” he added.

Salceda authored House Bill 9793, which extended Meralco’s franchise by another 25 years.