Villanueva wants equal work opportunities for elderly

FILE PHOTO: Senator Joel Villanueva. Bibo Nueva España/Senate PRIB

MANILA, Philippines— Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva is seeking the immediate passage of a measure that will promote equal work opportunities for senior citizens and encourage private companies to hire the elderly.

In filing Senate Bill No. 360, Villanueva noted that 3.17 million senior citizens are still “gainful workers” based on the latest available data from the Philippine Statistics Authority as of 2015.

“There is a need to provide opportunities for our senior citizens who are still able and willing to obtain gainful employment and wish to continue to become economically active and productive during their golden years,”  he said.

Under his bill, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will be mandated to provide a matching and employment facilitation services for senior citizens.

It will also raise the allowable deduction from gross income of private entities that will employ senior citizens as employees from 15 percent to 25 percent of the total amount paid as salaries and wages, as well as trainings provided to senior citizens, in accordance with Section 34 of the National Internal Revenue Code.

The bill likewise removes the proviso that the annual income of the senior citizen should not exceed the latest poverty threshold.

This is “to encourage employers to hire senior citizens from all walks of life, as long as they are able, willing and qualified to do the job,” Villanueva explained.

Employers would also be allowed, under the bill, the flexibility to grant greater benefits or improve the working conditions and terms of employment of senior citizens beyond the minimum requirements provided under applicable laws.

“Given the foregoing, this bill will redound to the benefit of millions of senior citizens who wish to remain economically active and productive,” Villanueva said.

“Thus, in line with the state’s policy to take care of the interest and welfare of our senior citizens, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought,” he further said.

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/MUF