Approval at committee level of bill on employing seniors hailed
HOUSE Deputy Majority Leader and ACT-CIS Party-list Representative Erwin Tulfo was elated over the approval of the House Bill seeking employment for senior citizens in the committee level.
In a statement, Tulfo, one of the principal authors of the “Employment Opportunities for Senior Citizen and Private Entities’ Incentives Act,” said the bill was approved in the House committee on ways and means.
“This legislation goes beyond just creating jobs. It fosters social inclusion, keeps seniors mentally and physically stimulated, and contributes to their financial security,” Tulfo said in his sponsorship remarks.
“For companies, employing senior citizens can bring stability, loyalty, and wealth of experience to the workplace. Senior citizens often require less training and can serve as mentors to younger colleagues,” the lawmaker added.
It took Congress at least 32 years to harmonize the same benefits of employment opportunities given to person with disabilities (PWD). If the bill becomes law, senior citizens will have the same employment opportunities as PWD.
Under the bill, senior citizens who have the capacity and desire to work, or be re- employed, shall be provided information and matching services of available job opportunities by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), through the public employment service offices, to enable them to be productive members of society .
“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 said.
The bill creates a win-win situation for both senior citizens and private companies.
“It also incentivizes companies to hire senior citizens by offering a significant tax reduction – 25 percent of the total amount paid as salaries, wages, benefits and training provided to senior citizen employees,” Tulfo noted.
Meanwhile, Atty. Franklin Quijano, of the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) thanked the lawmakers for the said bill saying that some employers are now starting to cooperate even as the bill is still pending before the Congress.
“Employers are now giving attention to senior citizens. One, of course, is KFC. But obviously, KFC, because the owner became the owner during the time when he was senior citizen. So, he’d like to pay it forward,” Quijano said.
“But recently, the two malls approached us, ensured interest, and actually are formulating their policies for employing senior citizens. I’m referring to SM and Robinsons,” he also said adding that there are some gasoline stations who are now thinking of employing senior citizens.
