TWO days after filing a bill to require companies to employ persons with disability (PWDs), Deputy Majority Leader Erwin T. Tulfo, and his colleagues from the ACT- CIS partylist and two other lawmakers filed another bill last Aug. 24, this time to amend the law to require jobs for senior citizens.

In a four-page House Bill No. 8971, signed by ACT-CIS partylist Reps. Erwin Tulfo, Jocelyn Tulfo, and Edvic Yap; Benguet Rep. Eric Yap and Quezon City 2nd District Rep. Ralph Tulfo, they introduced an act expanding the positions reserved for qualified senior citizens, amending for the purpose Republic Act No. 9994, as amended, otherwise known as “An Act Granting Additional Benefits and Privileges to Senior Citizens.”

“Before I assumed post as a Representative of ACT-CIS partylist, madalas ko na pong sinasabi na isusulong ko ang batas para mabigyan ng maayos at sapat nas trabaho ang mga PWD at senior citizen. Eto na po, tinutupad na natin,” Rep. Erwin Tulfo, said in a statement.

Under the proposed measure, at least one percent of all the positions in the government agencies, offices, or corporations shall be reserved for qualified senior citizens.

Also, private corporations with more than one hundred employees shall reserve at least one percent of all position(s) for qualified senior citizens.

It added that private corporations with less than one hundred employees are highly encouraged to reserve position(s) for qualified senior citizens.

“The fundamental purpose of this bill is to introduce measures that promote the employment and engagement of senior citizens within the private sector, enhancing their quality of life while recognizing their invaluable contributions to society,” the authors said.

“The proposed legislation seeks to bridge the gap between skilled and experienced senior citizens and the demands of private companies,” it added.

The authors also said, senior citizens often face challenges in terms of employability due to biases and misconceptions regarding their capabilities and productivity.

“This bill addresses this issue by fostering an inclusive workforce environment that values the contributions of senior citizens,” the authors noted.

Only last Tuesday (Aug. 22), the same lawmakers have jointly introduced a bill seeking to expand the employment opportunities reserved for qualified persons with disabilities (PWDs)
House Bill 8941 seeks to amend RA 7177, otherwise known as “Magna Carta for PWDs” or “An Act Providing for the Rehabilitation, Self-Development, and Self- Reliance of Disabled Person and their Integration into the Mainstream of Society and for Other Purposes.”

Under the proposed bill, at least one percent of all the positions in government agencies, offices, or corporations shall be reserved for qualified PWDs; private corporations with more than 100 employees shall reserve at least one percent of all positions for qualified PWDs; and private corporations with less than 100 employees shall reserve position (s) for qualified PWDs.

“Despite a number of legislations providing employment, education, health and accessibility support, among others, the PWDs, they are still at a disadvantage in several facets of the society,” the authors explained.

Both measures for PWDs and senior citizens also grant tax incentives to those private corporations that will comply with the said practice of employment hiring.