MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives in the Philippines has approved House Bill 11400, also known as the proposed "Act Expanding the Coverage of the Privileges and Benefits Given to Senior Citizens," with 177 affirmative votes and no dissenting opinions.

This bill serves as a consolidated replacement for 24 individual measures seeking increased or expanded benefits for the elderly.

Speaker Martin Romualdez highlighted the key provisions of the bill, which includes significant amendments to Section 3 of the Existing Senior Citizens Act of 2010. The amendments clarify the types of medicines, food supplements, private commercial establishments, and parking fees that qualify for benefits granted to senior citizens.

Among the key features, the bill stipulates that senior citizens are eligible for a 20% discount on purchases related to medicines, food supplements, vitamins, health professional fees, and toll fees on expressways and skyways.

The measure also extends discounts for transport network services and includes provisions for online and offline purchases.

Furthermore, the legislation grants senior citizens a 15% discount on monthly electricity and water consumption, provided that usage does not exceed 200 kilowatt-hours for electricity and 50 cubic meters for water.

Additionally, an 8.5% special discount on basic necessities and prime commodities is included.

Notably, the bill allocates P25,000 to the nearest surviving relative of a deceased senior citizen, with adjustments based on inflation over time.

Senior citizens will also be exempt from the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program, commonly referred to as the color-coding scheme, provided they can present valid identification.

Moreover, the legislation allows for parking fee exemptions for senior citizens in privately owned vehicles, valid upon presentation of a senior citizen identification card at commercial and government establishments that charge parking fees.

In promotional discount scenarios, the bill enables senior citizens to choose either the promotional discount or the standard discount offered within the new law, depending on which is more beneficial.

In another development, House Bill 11395, which institutionalizes the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), was passed unanimously with 176 votes.

This bill consolidates 11 separate proposals and seeks to broaden the scope of assistance available to various vulnerable groups.

The AICS program targets individuals and families who are indigent, stateless, repatriated, deported, or face other crisis situations.

Eligible beneficiaries will receive support that includes financial aid, medical assistance, transportation, food, material assistance, and additional help based on the evaluations conducted by DSWD social workers.

Documentation will be required for all fund disbursements as per AICS guidelines, and the DSWD is mandated to issue the necessary implementing rules and regulations.

The funding for the AICS program will be integrated into the DSWD’s annual budget.