Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 7) — Senator Bong Revilla has filed a bill seeking to lower the age to be considered as senior citizens from 60 to 56.
If enacted into law, Senate Bill No. 7432 will allow more people to enjoy the benefits provided to the elderly under Republic Act No. 7432 or the Senior Citizens Act.
“The benefits and privileges granted by statutes to senior citizens are indeed numerous, and we believe that they deserve all these,” said Revilla in his explanatory note.
Under the existing law, senior citizens are entitled to 20% discount and VAT-exemption on medicines, medical supplies, transportation fares, and even on some leisure activities.
The elderly is also granted a minimum of 5% discount on monthly water and electricity bills.
Revilla also said that his bill also proposes that establishments should have priority seating for all senior citizens.
The United Nations defines older persons or senior citizens as those who are 60 years old and above.
