Elderly citizens protesting

Cebu City Proposes Tax Incentives for Businesses Hiring Senior Citizens

Cebu City is taking a step towards promoting employment opportunities for senior citizens with a new proposal from city council member Sisinio Andales. The ordinance, titled "An Ordinance Promoting Employment Opportunities for Senior Citizens in Cebu City Through Incentives for Private Business Participation," aims to improve the welfare of the elderly and ensure inclusivity.

The ordinance provides benefits as outlined in the Republic Act 9994, or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010. To be eligible, senior citizens must be resident citizens of Cebu City, physically and mentally fit, and able to perform jobs necessary for businesses.

Businesses with more than 10 employees who hire senior citizens comprising at least 10% of their workforce will receive a 2% discount on their business tax. The ordinance grants flexibility to businesses, and exemptions from the hiring target are possible for jobs requiring intense labor in heavy construction and massage services if valid reasons are provided.

The support of various departments is crucial to the success of this program. The Office for Senior Citizens' Affairs (OSCA), the Department of Manpower Development and Placement (DMDP), and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) are working together to list available jobs, provide retooling and training programs, and facilitate placements marked as CAV.

As the city council considers this proposal, it is encouraging to see that business owners in Cebu City are already hiring senior citizens. This initiative is a positive step towards recognising the valuable contributions of senior citizens in the workforce and fostering a more inclusive society.

However, it is worth noting that there is currently no information available about the responsible city representative who introduced the legislative proposal to promote employment opportunities for seniors in Cebu City. Nonetheless, the support of the community, businesses, and relevant departments is a promising sign for the future of this initiative.