MANILA, Philippines, November 22 ------ The House of Representatives approved on third and final reading, a bill requiring the government to provide senior citizens with employment opportunities and reduced income taxes. House Bill 10985, or the Employment Opportunities for Senior Citizens and Private Entities’ Incentives Act, was passed unanimously, with no votes against or abstentions.
The proposed legislation aims to amend the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2003 and 2010, mandating all government agencies and private entities to establish employment programs that ensure senior citizens are informed of job opportunities and provide them with access to the application process.
What kind of jobs? According to the bill, senior citiziens could be offered clerical, secretarial work, consultancy, cleaning or janitorial services, event organizing, teaching, kitchen help, sales assistance, business process outsourcing and other volunteer work. The bill also raises the tax deduction from 15% to 25% of senior citizens’ gross income, covering benefits and training.
What else is waived? Senior job seekers may also enjoy the privilege of waived feed and charges from obtaining government documents for employment such as police and barangay clearances, medical certificates, birth certificates, marriage certificates and other proofs of identification.
The Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Trade Industry and the Civil Service Commission will also be required to design and implement training programs for the upskilling of senior citizens. In an interview with dzBB Super Radyo 594 on Thursday, November 21, lawyer Romulo Macalintal said the House-approved bill builds upon existing laws protecting the welfare of senior citizens. “Kaming mga senior citizens, kahit 60-years old and above na, hindi pa kami laos. Kailangang ipagpatuloy namin ang pagkilos para talagang makita na malakas pa kami,” he said.
Source: philstar.com
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