Rizal 4th District Rep. Fidel Nograles vowed to help push for the passage of the measure in the Lower House as he described the measure as a “noble proposal.’

Last week, the House Committees on Ways and Means and on Senior Citizens approved the proposed “Employment Opportunities for Senior Citizens and Private Entities Incentives Act.”

Approved was the bill that consolidated provisions of the legislative proposals filed by Reps. Eduardo “Bro Eddie” Villanueva of CIBA Partylist and Stella Quimbo of Marikina City.

The bill provides that senior citizens will be provided by the Department of Labor and Employment with information and matching services of available job opportunities.

It also proposes to increase deduction on gross income of private companies that hire seniors from the current 15 percent to 25 percent of the total amount paid as salaries and wages.

To avail of the tax incentives, private firms must ensure the continuous employment of elderly employees for at least six months.

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

In a press statement, Nograles underscored the need for Congress to pass the measure.
“As coping with daily living becomes more difficult, senior citizens are being compelled to work, but many of them are being turned away despite still having so much to offer,” Nograles said.

Nograles also encouraged employers to “look beyond age, gender, and physical ability” in hiring workers.

“Hindi dapat maging hadlang ang edad, kasarian, at pisikal na abilidad. I hope that our employers will see beyond these distinctions and instead focus on merit and capability of job applicants,” the lawmaker said.