Days after filing a bill to require companies to employ persons with disabilities, ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo, along with two colleagues, has filed another bill to amend the law requiring jobs for senior citizens.
House Bill No. 8971, signed by Tulfo, Jocelyn Tulfo, and Edvic Yap, introduced an act expanding the positions reserved for qualified senior citizens, amending Republic Act No. 9994 or “An Act Granting Additional Benefits and Privileges to Senior Citizens.
Benguet Rep. Eric Yap and Quezon City Rep. Ralph Tulfo backed the bill.
“Before I assumed post as a representative of ACT-CIS party-list, I kept on saying to push a law to provide enough jobs for the PWDs and the elders,” Tulfo, a deputy majority leader, said.
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, and that private corporations with over 100 employees shall reserve at least one percent of all 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 bill read.
“The proposed legislation seeks to bridge the gap between skilled and experienced senior citizens and the demands of private companies,” it stated.
The authors lamented that the elderly often face challenges in 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.
Last Sug. 22, the bill’s authors introduced a bill seeking to expand the employment opportunities for qualified persons PWDs.
HB 8941 seeks to amend RA 7177 or the 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.
“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 bill read.