House Bill (HB) 10985, which allows senior citizens to remain employed, received 173 approval votes and was passed by the House of Representatives during Tuesday’s plenary session.
HB 10985, also known as the Employment Opportunities for Senior Citizens and Private Entities’ Incentives Act, mandates that individuals beyond the retirement age be given the opportunity to continue working or to access new employment opportunities.
“Retired or elderly individuals should not just be left to fend for themselves or depend entirely on their monthly pension. It’s about time we help ensure automatic employment allocation for Filipinos aged 60 years old and above,” House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez said.
“They (senior citizens) should also be given the opportunity to be given post-retirement careers, like for example doing menial jobs that are not physically strenuous. Let’s allow them to be still productive citizens of the country. If advanced economies can do it, why can’t we?” Romualdez added.
He emphasized that the government must create more opportunities for senior citizens to earn income during their later years.
The bill also mandates that the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), through the Public Employment Services Offices (PESO), provide information and matching services to help elderly individuals who are capable and interested in employment or reemployment.