A legislative measure that seeks to promote inclusive employment opportunities for senior citizens in both public and private sectors has been filed in the House of Representatives.

Deputy House Speaker and Misamis Oriental Second District Rep. Yevgeny Vincente Emano filed House Bill No. 8940 or the Inclusive Employment for Senior Citizens Act recently.

Emano said the proposed law promotes productive and active aging by enabling senior citizens to participate in gainful job on a voluntary basis, prevent age-based discrimination in employment, and ensure that employment for senior citizens is safe, dignified, compensated fairly, and non-exploitative.

Under the proposed law, government agencies and local government units will be mandated to allocation at least one percent of applicable non-plantilla or contractual positions for qualified senior citizens.

Private employers, on the other hand, will be entitled to tax incentives, priority access to government training programs, and recognition as “senior-friendly employers” for hiring senior citizens.

The bill outlines employment opportunities in advisory, consultancy, administrative, teaching, community-based services, and flexible work arrangements.

It also guarantees that senior citizens will receive salaries and benefits not lower than those prescribed by labor laws, and that their employment will not involve hazardous or physically excessive work unless accepted voluntarily and cleared medically.

“In several localities, including areas within Misamis Oriental, local initiatives have demonstrated that senior citizens can meaningfully contribute to community development, public service delivery, and private enterprise when given appropriate employment support,” Emano said.