MANILA - The House of Representatives on Monday unanimously approved on final reading a measure increasing the discount granted to senior citizens on their monthly electric and water consumption and exempting such bills from value-added tax. With 203 affirmative votes, zero negative votes, and no abstention, the chamber passed on third and final reading House Bill 10568, which would amend Republic Act 7432 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010. The bill proposes to raise the rate of discount granted to senior citizens on their monthly electric and water consumption from the present 5 percent to 10 percent. Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means, said the exemption would still be subject to a cap on consumption, but for electricity consumption, the limit is also increased in the bill from 100-kilowatt hours to 150. The cap on water is kept at 30 cubic meters. Salceda said the measure contains a safeguard against abuse. "The measure explicitly
MANILA - A measure increasing the discount granted to senior citizens on their monthly electric and water consumption and exempt such bills from value-added tax hurdled second reading approval at the House of Representatives. During Tuesday's plenary session, the chamber passed through voice voting House Bill 10568, which would amend Republic Act No. 7432 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010. The bill proposes to raise the rate of discount granted to senior citizens on their monthly electric and water consumption from the present 5 percent to 10 percent. Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means, said the exemption would still be subject to a cap on consumption, but for electricity consumption, the limit is also increased in the bill from 100-kilowatt hours to 150. The cap on water is kept at 30 cubic meters. Salceda said the measure contains a safeguard against abuse. "The measure explicitly states that the senior has to be living in the h
File photo MANILA - A House of Representatives panel on Monday approved a measure that would raise the discount granted to senior citizens on their monthly electric and water consumption and exempt such bills from value-added tax. During the online hearing, the House Committee on Ways and Means approved the substitute bill to House Bills No. 1903 and 3040, which would amend Republic Act No. 7432 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010. Albay Representative Joey Salceda, chair of the panel, said the exemption would still be subject to a cap on consumption, but for electricity consumption, the limit is also increased in the substitute bill from 100-kilowatt hours to 150. The cap on water is kept at 30 cubic meters. Salceda said the measure contains a safeguard against abuse. "The measure explicitly states that the senior has to be living in the household subject to the exemptions and discounts," he added. The bill directs the National Commission of Senior Citizens, in consu