Republic of the Philippines

CONGRESS OF THE PHILIPPINES

Metro Manila
Fourteenth Congress
Third Regular Session
Begun and held in Metro Manila, on Monday, the twenty-seventh day of July, two thousand nine.
Republic Act No !!!"
AN ACT GRANTING A##ITIONAL $ENEFITS AN# PRI%ILEGES TO SENIOR CITI&ENS'
F(RTHER A)EN#ING REP($LIC ACT NO *"+,' AS A)EN#E#' OTHER-ISE .NO-N AS
/AN ACT TO )A0I)I&E THE CONTRI$(TION OF SENIOR CITI&ENS TO NATION
$(IL#ING' GRANT $ENEFITS AN# SPECIAL PRI%ILEGES AN# FOR OTHER P(RPOSES/
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:
Section 1 Title. - This Act hall be !nown as the "Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010."
Section , ection " of Republic Act #o. $%&', as a(ended by Republic Act #o. )'*$,
otherwise !nown as the +,-panded enior .iti/ens Act of '00&+, is hereby further a(ended to
read as follows1
+,.T23# ". Declaration of Policies and b!ectives. - As provided in the .onstitution of the
Republic of the Philippines, it is the declared policy of the tate to pro(ote a 4ust and dyna(ic
social order that will ensure the prosperity and independence of the nation and free the people
fro( poverty through policies that provide ade5uate social services, pro(ote full e(ploy(ent, a
rising standard of living and an i(proved 5uality of life. 2n the 6eclaration of Principles and tate
Policies in Article 22, ections "0 and "", it is further declared that the tate shall provide social
4ustice in all phases of national develop(ent and that the tate values the dignity of every
hu(an person and guarantees full respect for hu(an rights.
+Article 7222, ection "" of the .onstitution provides that the ate shall adopt an integrated and
co(prehensive approach to health develop(ent which shall endeavor to (a!e essential goods,
health and other social services available to all the people at affordable cost. There shall be
priority for the needs of the underprivileged, sic!, elderly, disabled, wo(en and children. Article
78, ection % of the .onstitution 9urther declares that it is the duty of the fa(ily to ta!e care of
its elderly (e(bers while the tate (ay design progra(s of social security for the(.
+.onsistent with these constitutional principles, this Act shall serve the following ob4ectives1
+:a; To recogni/e the rights of senior citi/ens to ta!e their proper place in society
and (a!e it a concern of the fa(ily, co((unity, and govern(ent<
+:b; To give full support to the i(prove(ent of the total well-being of the elderly
and their full participation in society, considering that senior citi/ens are integral
part of Philippine society<
+:c; To (otivate and encourage the senior citi/ens to contribute to nation
building<
+:d; To encourage their fa(ilies and the co((unities they live with to reaffir( the
valued 9ilipino tradition of caring for the senior citi/ens<
+:e; To provide a co(prehensive health care and rehabilitation syste( for
disabled senior citi/ens to foster their capacity to attain a (ore (eaningful and
productive ageing< and
+:f; To recogni/e the i(portant role of the private sector in the i(prove(ent of the
welfare of senior citi/ens and to actively see! their partnership.
+2n accordance with these ob4ectives, this Act shall1
+:"; establish (echanis(s whereby the contributions of the senior citi/ens are
(a-i(i/ed<
+:'; adopt (easures whereby our senior citi/ens are assisted and appreciated by
the co((unity as a whole<
+:&; establish a progra( beneficial to the senior citi/ens, their fa(ilies and the
rest of the co((unity they serve1 and
+:%; establish co((unity-based health and rehabilitation progra(s for senior
citi/ens in every political unit of society.+
Section + ection ' of Republic Act #o. $%&', as a(ended by Republic Act #o. )'*$,
otherwise !nown as the ,-panded enior .iti/ens Act of '00&+, is hereby further a(ended to
read as follows1
,.. '. Definition of terms. - 9or purposes of this Act, these ter(s are defined as follows1
+:a; Senior citi"en or elderly refers to any resident citi/en of the Philippines at
least si-ty :=0; years old<
+:b; #eriatrics refer to the branch of (edical science devoted to the study of the
biological and physical changes and the diseases of old age<
+:c; $odging establishment refers to a building, edifice, structure, apart(ent or
house including tourist inn, apartelle, (otorist hotel, and pension house engaged
in catering, leasing or providing facilities to transients, tourists or travelers<
+:d; %edical Services refer to hospital services, professional services of
physicians and other health care professionals and diagnostics and laboratory
tests that the necessary for the diagnosis or treat(ent of an illness or in4ury<
+:e; Dental services to oral e-a(ination, cleaning, per(anent and te(porary
filling, e-tractions and gu( treat(ents, restoration, replace(ent or repositioning
of teeth, or alteration of the alveolar or periodontiu( process of the (a-illa and
the (andible that are necessary for the diagnosis or treat(ent of an illness or
in4ury<
+:f; &earest surviving relative refers to the legal spouse who survives the
deceased senior citi/en1 Provided, That where no spouse survives the decedent,
this shall be li(ited to relatives in the following order of degree of !inship1
children, parents, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, uncles and aunts<
+:g; Home health care service refers to health or supportive care provided to the
senior citi/en patient at ho(e by licensed health care professionals to include,
but not li(ited to, physicians, nurses, (idwives, physical therapist and
caregivers< and
+:h; 'ndigent senior citi"en( refers to any elderly who is frail, sic!ly or with
disability, and without pension or per(anent source of inco(e, co(pensation or
financial assistance fro( his>her relatives to support his>her basic needs, as
deter(ined by the 6epart(ent of ocial ?elfare and develop(ent :6?6; in
consultation with the #ational .oordinating and Monitoring Board.+
Section " ection % of Republic Act #o. $%&', as a(ended by Republic Act #o. )'*$,
otherwise !nown as the +,-panded enior .iti/ens Act of '00&+, is hereby further a(ended to
read as follows1
+,.. %. Privileges for the enior .iti/ens. -
The senior citi/ens shall be entitled to the following1
+:a; the grant of twenty percent :'0@; discount and e-e(ption fro( the value -added ta- :8AT;,
if applicable, on the sale of the following goods and services fro( all establish(ents, for the
e-clusive use and en4oy(ent or avail(ent of the senior citi/en
+:"; on the purchase of (edicines, including the purchase of influen/a and
pnue(ococcal vaccines, and such other essential (edical supplies, accessories
and e5uip(ent to be deter(ined by the 6epart(ent of Aealth :63A;.
+The 63A shall establish guidelines and (echanis( of co(pulsory rebates in
the sharing of burden of discounts a(ong retailers, (anufacturers and
distributors, ta!ing into consideration their respective (argins<
+:'; on the professional fees of attending physician>s in all private hospitals,
(edical facilities, outpatient clinics and ho(e health care services<
+:&; on the professional fees of licensed professional health providing ho(e
health care services as endorsed by private hospitals or e(ployed through ho(e
health care e(ploy(ent agencies<
+:%; on (edical and dental services, diagnostic and laboratory fees in all private
hospitals, (edical facilities, outpatient clinics, and ho(e health care services, in
accordance with the rules and regulations to be issued by the 63A, in
coordination with the Philippine Aealth 2nsurance .orporation :PhilAealth;<
+:*; in actual fare for land transportation travel in public utility buses :PBBs;,
public utility 4eepneys :PBJs;, ta-is, Asian utility vehicles :AB8s;, shuttle services
and public railways, including Cight Rail Transit :CRT;, Mass Rail Transit :MRT;,
and Philippine #ational Railways :P#R;<
+:=; in actual transportation fare for do(estic air transport services and sea
shipping vessels and the li!e, based on the actual fare and advanced boo!ing<
+:$; on the utili/ation of services in hotels and si(ilar lodging establish(ents,
restaurants and recreation centers<
+:D; on ad(ission fees charged by theaters, cine(a houses and concert halls,
circuses, leisure and a(use(ent< and
+:); on funeral and burial services for the death of senior citi/ens<
+:b; e-e(ption fro( the pay(ent of individual inco(e ta-es of senior citi/ens who are
considered to be (ini(u( wage earners in accordance with Republic Act #o. )*0%<
+:c; the grant of a (ini(u( of five percent :*@; discount relative to the (onthly utili/ation of
water and electricity supplied by the public utilities1 Provided( That the individual (eters for the
foregoing utilities are registered in the na(e of the senior citi/en residing therein1 Provided(
further( That the (onthly consu(ption does not e-ceed one hundred !ilowatt hours :"00 !?h;
of electricity and thirty cubic (eters :&0 (&; of water1 Provided( furthermore( That the privilege
is granted per household regardless of the nu(ber of senior citi/ens residing therein<
+:d; e-e(ption fro( training fees for socioecono(ic progra(s<
+:e; free (edical and dental services, diagnostic and laboratory fees such as, but not li(ited to,
--rays, co(puteri/ed to(ography scans and blood tests, in all govern(ent facilities, sub4ect to
the guidelines to be issued by the 63A in coordination with the PhilAealth<
+:f; the 63A shall ad(inister free vaccination against the influen/a virus and pneu(ococcal
disease for indigent senior citi/en patients<
+:g; educational assistance to senior citi/ens to pursue pot secondary, tertiary, post tertiary,
vocational and technical education, as well as short-ter( courses for retooling in both public and
private schools through provision of scholarships, grants, financial aids, subsides and other
incentives to 5ualified senior citi/ens, including support for boo!s, learning (aterials, and
unifor( allowances, to the e-tent feasible1 Provided( That senior citi/ens shall (eet (ini(u(
ad(ission re5uire(ents<
+:h; to the e-tent practicable and feasible, the continuance of the sa(e benefits and privileges
given by the Eovern(ent ervice 2nsurance yste( :E2;, the ocial ecurity yste( :;
and the PAE-2B2E, as the case (ay be, as are en4oyed by those in actual service<
+:i; retire(ent benefits of retirees fro( both the govern(ent and the private sector shall be
regularly reviewed to ensure their continuing responsiveness and sustainability, and to the
e-tent practicable and feasible, shall be upgraded to be at par with the current scale en4oyed by
those in actual service<
+:4; to the e-tent possible, the govern(ent (ay grant special discounts in special progra(s for
senior citi/ens on purchase of basic co((odities, sub4ect to the guidelines to be issued for the
purpose by the 6epart(ent of Trade and 2ndustry :6T2; and the 6epart(ent of Agriculture :6A;<
+:!; provision of e-press lanes for senior citi/ens in all co((ercial and govern(ent
establish(ents< in the absence thereof, priority shall be given to the(< and
+:l; death benefit assistance of a (ini(u( of Two thousand pesos :Php', 000.00; shall be given
to the nearest surviving relative of a deceased senior citi/en which a(ount shall be sub4ect to
ad4ust(ents due to inflation in accordance with the guidelines to be issued by the
6?6.)avvphi)
+2n the avail(ent of the privileges (entioned above, the senior citi/en, or his>her duly authori/ed
representative, (ay sub(it as proof of his>her entitled thereto any of the following1
+:"; an identification card issued by the 3ffice of the enior .iti/en Affairs
:3.A; of the place where the senior citi/en resides1 Provided, That the
identification card issued by the particular 3.A shall be honored nationwide<
+:'; the passport of the senior citi/en concerned< and
+:&; other docu(ents that establish that the senior citi/en is a citi/en of the
Republic and is at least si-ty :=0; years of age as further provided in the
i(ple(enting rules and regulations.
+2n the purchase of goods and services which are on pro(otional discount, the senior citi/en
can avail of the pro(otional discount or the discount provided herein, whichever is higher.
+The establish(ent (ay clai( the discounts granted under subsections :a; and :c; of this
section as ta- deduction based on the cost of the goods sold or services rendered1 Provided,
That the cost of the discount shall be allowed as deduction fro( gross inco(e for the sa(e
ta-able year that the discount is granted1 Provided, further, That the total a(ount of the clai(ed
ta- deduction net of 8AT, if applicable, shall be included in their gross sales receipts for ta-
purposes and shall be sub4ect to proper docu(entation and to the provisions of the #ational
2nternal Revenue .ode :#2.R;, as a(ended.+
Section 2 ection * of the sa(e Act, as a(ended, is hereby further a(ended to read as
follows1
+,.. *. #overnment *ssistance. - The govern(ent shall provide the following1
+:a; ,(ploy(ent
+enior citi/ens who have the capacity and desire to wor!, or be re-e(ployed, shall be provided
infor(ation and (atching services to enable the( to be productive (e(bers of society. Ter(s
of e(ploy(ent shall confor( with the provisions of the Cabor .ode, as a(ended, and other
laws, rules and regulations.
+Private entities that will e(ploy senior citi/ens as e(ployees, upon the effectivity of this Act,
shall be entitled to an additional deduction fro( their gross inco(e, e5uivalent to fifteen percent
:"*@; of the total a(ount paid as salaries and wages to senior citi/ens, sub4ect to the provision
of ection &% of the #2R., as a(ended1 Provided, however, That such e(ploy(ent shall
continue for a period of at least si- :=; (onths1 Provided, further, That the annual inco(e of the
senior citi/en does not e-ceed the latest poverty threshold as deter(ined by the #ational
tatistical .oordination Board :#.B; of the #ational ,cono(ic and 6evelop(ent Authority
:#,6A; for that year.
+The 6epart(ent of Cabor and ,(ploy(ent :63C,;, in coordination with other govern(ent
agencies such as, but not li(ited to, the Technology and Civelihood Resource .enter :TCR.;
and the 6epart(ent of Trade and 2ndustry :6T2;, shall assess, design and i(ple(ent training
progra(s that will provide s!ills and welfare or livelihood support for senior citi/ens.
+:b; ,ducation
+The 6epart(ent of ,ducation :6ep,6;, the Technical ,ducation and !ills 6evelop(ent
Authority :T,6A; and the .o((ission on Aigher ,ducation :.A,6;, in consultation with
nongovern(ental organi/ations :#E3s; and peopleFs organi/ations :P3s; for senior citi/ens,
shall institute progra(s that will ensure access to for(al and nonfor(al education.
+:c; Aealth
+The 63A, in coordination with local govern(ent units :CEBs;, #E3s and P3s for senior
citi/ens, shall institute a national health progra( and shall provide an integrated health service
for senior citi/ens. 2t shall train co((unity-based health wor!ers a(ong senior citi/ens and
health personnel to speciali/e in the geriatric care and health proble(s of senior citi/ens.
+The national health progra( for senior citi/ens shall, a(ong others, be har(oni/ed with the
#ational Prevention of Blindness Progra( of the 63A.
+Throughout the country, there shall be established a +senior citi/ensF ward+ in every
govern(ent hospital. This geriatric ward shall be for the e-clusive use of senior citi/ens who are
in need of hospital confine(ent by reason of their health conditions. Aowever, when urgency of
public necessity purposes so re5uire, such geriatric ward (ay be used for e(ergency purposes,
after which, such +senior citi/ensF ward+ shall be reverted to its nature as geriatric ward.
+:d; ocial ervices
+At least fifty percent :*0@; discount shall be granted on the consu(ption of electricity, water,
and telephone by the senior citi/ens center and residential care>group ho(es that are
govern(ent-run or non-stoc!, non-profit do(estic corporation organi/ed and operated pri(arily
for the purpose of pro(oting the well-being of abandoned, neglected, unattached, or ho(eless
senior citi/ens, sub4ect to the guidelines for(ulated by the 6?6.
+:"; +self and social enhance(ent services+ which provide senior citi/ens
opportunities for sociali/ing, organi/ing, creative e-pression, and self-
i(prove(ent<
+:'; +after care and follow-up services+ for citi/ens who are discharged fro( the
ho(es or institutions for the aged, especially those who have proble(s of
reintegration with fa(ily and co((unity, wherein both the senior citi/ens and
their fa(ilies are provided with counseling<
+:&; +neighborhood support services+ wherein the co((unity or fa(ily (e(bers
provide caregiving services to their frail, sic!, or bedridden senior citi/ens< and
+:%; +substitute fa(ily care + in the for( of residential care or group ho(es for the
abandoned, neglected, unattached or ho(eless senior citi/ens and those
incapable of self-care.
+:e; Aousing
+The national govern(ent shall include in its national shelter progra( the special housing needs
of senior citi/ens, such as establish(ent of housing units for the elderly.
+:f; Access to Public Transport
+The 6epart(ent of Transportation and .o((unications :63T.; shall develop a progra( to
assist senior citi/ens to fully gain access to public transport facilities.
+:g; 2ncentive for 9oster .are
+The govern(ent shall provide incentives to individuals or nongovern(ental institution caring for
or establishing ho(es, residential co((unities or retire(ent villages solely for, senior citi/ens,
as follows1
+:"; realty ta- holiday for the first five :*; years starting fro( the first year of
operation< and
+:'; priority in the construction or (aintenance of provincial or (unicipal roads
leading to the aforesaid ho(e, residential co((unity or retire(ent village.
+:h; Additional Eovern(ent Assistance
+:"; ocial Pension
+2ndigent senior citi/ens shall be entitled to a (onthly stipend a(ounting to 9ive
hundred pesos :Php*00.00; to aug(ent the daily subsistence and other (edical
needs of senior citi/ens, sub4ect to a review every two :'; years by .ongress, in
consultation with the 6?6.
+:'; Mandatory PhilAealth .overage
+All indigent senior citi/ens shall be covered by the national health insurance
progra( of PhilAealth. The CEBs where the indigent senior citi/ens resides shall
allocate the necessary funds to ensure the enroll(ent of their indigent senior
citi/ens in accordance with the pertinent laws and regulations.
+:&; ocial afety #ets
+ocial safety assistance intended to cushion the effects of econo(ics shoc!s, disasters and
cala(ities shall be available for senior citi/ens. The social safety assistance which shall include,
but not li(ited to, food, (edicines, and financial assistance for do(icile repair, shall be sourced
fro( the disaster>cala(ity funds of CEBs where the senior citi/ens reside, sub4ect to the
guideli(es to be issued by the 6?6.+
Section 3 ection = of the sa(e Act, as a(ended, is heeby further a(ended to read as
follows1
,.. =. The ffice for Senior Citi"ens *ffairs +SC*,. - There shall be established in all cities
and (unicipalities an 3.A to be headed by a senior citi/en who shall be appointed by the
(ayor for a ter( of three :&; years without reappoint(ent but without pre4udice to an e-tension
if e-igency so re5uires. aid appointee shall be chosen fro( a list of three :&; no(inees as
reco((ended by a general asse(bly of senior citi/ens organi/ations in the city or (unicipality.
+The head of the 3.A shall be appointed to serve the interest of senior citi/ens and shall not
be re(oved or replaced e-cept for reasons of death per(anent disability or ineffective
perfor(ance of his duties to the detri(ent of fellow senior citi/ens.
+The head of the 3.A shall be entitled to receive an honorariu( of an a(ount at least
e5uivalent to alary Erade "0 to be approved by the CEB concerned.
+The head of the 3.A shall be assisted by the .ity ocial ?elfare and 6evelop(ent officer or
by the Municipal ocial ?elfare and 6evelop(ent 3fficer, in coordination with the ocial
?elfare and 6evelop(ent 3ffice.
+The 3ffice of the Mayor shall e-ercise supervision over the 3.A relative to their plans,
activities and progra(s for senior citi/ens. The 3.A shall wor! together and establish lin!ages
with accredited #E3s Pos and the barangays in their respective areas.
+The 3.A shall have the following functions1
+:a; To plan, i(ple(ent and (onitor yearly wor! progra(s in pursuance of the
ob4ectives of this Act<
+:b; To draw up a list of available and re5uired services which can be provided by
the senior citi/ens<
+:c; To (aintain and regularly update on a 5uarterly basis the list of senior
citi/ens and to issue national individual identification cards, free of charge, which
shall be valid anywhere in the country<
+:d; To serve as a general infor(ation and liason center for senior citi/ens<
+:e; To (onitor co(pliance of the provisions of this Act particularly the grant of
special discounts and privileges to senior citi/ens<
+:f; To report to the (ayor, any individual, establish(ents, business entity,
institutions or agency found violating any provision of this Act< and
+:g; To assist the senior citi/ens in filing co(plaints or charges against any
individual, establish(ents, business entity, institution, or agency refusing to
co(ply with the privileges under this Act before the 6epart(ent of Justice :63J;,
the Provincial ProsecutorFs 3ffice, the regional or the (unicipal trial court, the
(unicipal trial court in cities, or the (unicipal circuit trial court.+
Section * ection "0 of the sa(e Act, as a(ended, is hereby further a(ended to read as
follows1
+,.. "0. Penalties. - Any person who refuses to honor the senior citi/en card issued by this the
govern(ent or violates any provision of this Act shall suffer the following penalties1
+:a; 9or the first violation, i(prison(ent of not less than two :'; years but not
(ore than si- :=; years and a fine of not less than 9ifty thousand pesos
:Php*0,000.00; but not e-ceeding 3ne hundred thousand pesos
:Php"00,000.00;<
+:b; 9or any subse5uent violation, i(prison(ent of not less than two :'; years but
not (ore than si- :=; years and a fine of not less than 3ne Aundred thousand
pesos :Php"00,000.00; but not e-ceeding Two hundred thousand pesos
:Php'00,000.00;< and
+:c; Any person who abuses the privileges granted herein shall be punished with
i(prison(ent of not less than si- :=; (onths and a fine of not less than 9ifty
thousand pesos :Php*0,000.00; but not (ore than 3ne hundred thousand pesos
:Php"00,000.00;.
+2f the offender is a corporation, partnership, organi/ation or any si(ilar entity, the officials
thereof directly involved such as the president, general (anager, (anaging partner, or such
other officer charged with the (anage(ent of the business affairs shall be liable therefor.
+2f the offender is an alien or a foreigner, he>she shall be deported i((ediately after service of
sentence.
+Bpon filing of an appropriate co(plaint, and after due notice and hearing, the proper authorities
(ay also cause the cancellation or revocation of the business per(it, per(it to operate,
franchise and other si(ilar privileges granted to any person, establish(ent or business entity
that fails to abide by the provisions of this Act.+
Section 4 ection "" of the sa(e Act, as a(ended, is hereby further a(ended to read as
follows1
+,.. "". Monitoring and .oordinating Mechanis(. - A #ational .oordinating and Monitoring
Board shall be established which shall be co(posed of the following1
+:a; .hairperson - the ecretary of the 6?6 or an authori/ed representative<
+:b; 8ice .hairperson - the ecretary of the 6epart(ent of the 2nterior and Cocal
Eovern(ent :62CE; or an authori/ed representative< and
+:c; Me(bers1
+:"; the ecretary of the 63J or an authori/ed representative<
+:'; the ecretary of the 63A or an authori/ed representative<
+:&; the ecretary of the 6T2 or an authori/ed representative< and
:%; representatives fro( five :*; #E3s for senior citi/ens which are duly
accredited by the 6?6 and have service pri(arily for senior citi/ens.
Representatives of #E3s shall serve a period of tree :&; years.
+The Board (ay call on other govern(ent agencies, #E3s and Pos to serve as resource
persons as the need arises. Resource person have no right to vote in the #ational .oordinating
and Monitoring Board.+
Section ! 'mplementing Rules and Regulations. - ?ithin si-ty :=0; days fro( theeffectivity of
this Act, the ecretary of the 6?6 shall for(ulate and adopt a(end(ents to the e-isting rules
and regulations i(ple(enting Republic Act #o. $%&', as a(ended by Republic Act #o. )'*$, to
carry out the ob4ectives of this Act, in consultation with the 6epart(ent of 9inance, the
6epart(ent of Touris(, the Aousing and Brban 6evelop(ent .oordinating .ouncil :AB6..;,
the 63C,, the 63J, the 62CE, the 6T2, the 63A, the 63T., the #,6A, the 6ep,6, the
T,6A, the .A,6, and five :*; #E3s or P3s for the senior citi/ens duly accredited by the
6?6. The guidelines pursuant to ection %:a;:i; shall be established by the 63A within si-ty
:=0; days upon the effectivity of this Act.
Section 15 *ppropriations. - The #ecessary appropriations for the operation and (aintenance
of the 3.A shall be appropriated and approved by the CEBs concerned. 9or national
govern(ent agencies, the re5uire(ents to i(ple(ent the provisions of this Act shall be included
in their respective budgets1 Provided, That the funds to be used for the national health progra(
and for the vaccination of senior citi/ens in the first year of the 63A and thereafter, as a line
ite( under the under the 63A budget in the subse5uent Eeneral Appropriations Act :EAA;1
Provided, further, That the (onthly social pension for indigent senior citi/ens in the first year of
i(ple(entation shall be added to the regular appropriations of the 6?6 budget in the
subse5uent EAA.
Section 11 Repealing Clause. - All law, e-ecutive orders, rules and regulations or any part
hereof inconsistent herewith are dee(ed repealed or (odified accordingly.
Section 1, Separability Clause. - 2f any part or provision of this Act shall be declared
unconstitutional and invalid, such "D declaration shall not invalidate other parts thereof which
shall re(ain in full force and effect.
Section 1+ -ffectivity. - This Act shall ta!e effect fifteen :"*; days its co(plete publication n the
3fficial Ea/ette or in at least two :'; newspapers of general circulation, whichever co(es
earlier.
Appro6ed
:gd.; PROSPERO C NOGRALES
pea!er of the Aouse of Representatives
:gd.; 7(AN PONCE ENRILE
President of the enate
This Act which is a consolidation of enate Bill #o. &*=" and Aouse Bill #o. =&)0 was finally
passed by the enate and the Aouse of Representatives on January '$, '0"0.
:gd.; )ARIL8N $ $AR(A98AP
ecretary Eeneral
Aouse of Represenatives
:gd.; E))A LIRIO9RE8ES
ecretary of enate
Approved1 FE$ 12' ,515
:gd.; GLORIA )ACAPAGAL9ARRO8O
President of the Philippines