TVET Guidelines on RA 9257, Otherwise Known as the "Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2003"
TESDA Circular No. 011-05 outlines guidelines for the implementation of the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2003 (RA 9257) in technical and vocational education and training (TVET). It defines senior citizens as residents aged 60 and above and grants them exemptions from training fees and access to educational assistance for vocational programs. TESDA is mandated to ensure that regional offices develop programs that facilitate senior citizens' access to education and community service opportunities. Violations of the Act incur significant fines and imprisonment, with additional penalties for corporations and foreign offenders. Moreover, at least 5% of the training budget must be allocated for programs targeting senior citizens.
March 30, 2005
TESDA CIRCULAR NO. 011-05
| SUBJECT | : | TVET Guidelines on RA 9257, Otherwise Known as the "Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2003" |
Pursuant to the provisions of RA 9257, otherwise known as the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2003, and its Implementing Rules and Regulations, the following TVET guidelines are hereby promulgated for compliance of all concerned.
1. Definition of Term: For purposes of these guidelines, the following term is defined:
1.1. SENIOR CITIZEN OR ELDERLY — refers to any resident citizen of the Philippines at least sixty (60) years old as defined under RULE III, Article 5.
2. Qualified senior citizens issued senior citizen identification cards by the Office for Senior Citizens Affairs Office (OSCA) may avail of the following privileges: aEHASI
2.1. The senior citizens shall be exempted from training fees (RULE V, Article 7, Section 7) for socio-economic programs conducted by private and government agencies. Socio-economic programs shall refer to livelihood programs, short-term programs and community-based programs.
2.2. Educational assistance (RULE V, Article 7, Section 12) shall be granted to senior citizens to pursue vocational or technical education in both public and private schools, through provision of scholarships, grants, financial aid, subsidies and other incentives to qualified senior citizens, including support for books, learning materials, and uniform allowance, to the extent feasible. Provided, that senior citizens shall meet the minimum admission requirements corresponding the programs.
3. All TESDA Regional and Provincial/District Offices and Technology Institutes shall institute a program that will ensure access of senior citizens to formal and non-formal education (RULE VII, Article 9, Section 17). In the development of the program, consultations must be done with the non-government organizations (NGOs) and people's organizations (POs) for senior citizens as well as the Office of Senior Citizen Affairs) (OSCA). Moreover, they shall: cHaICD
a. Formulate and implement relevant and effective course designs and educational programs;
b. Conduct the necessary training for the implementation of the appropriate curriculum for the purpose;
c. Ensure the availability of the needed educational facilities and materials; and
d. Conduct continuing research and development program for the necessary and relevant education of the senior citizens.
4. All senior citizens who will benefit from these privileges and qualified as determined by Office for Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) may render service to the community (RULE IV, Article 6) and contribute to nation building which shall consist of, but not limited to, any of the following:
• Transfer of new skills acquired
• Tutorial and/or consultancy services
• Actual teaching and demonstration of hobbies and income generating skills aHATDI
• Lectures on specialized fields
• Acting as resource persons
5. In consideration of the services rendered by qualified elderly, TESDA Regional and Provincial/District Offices and Technology Institutes, in coordination with the Office for Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA), may award or grant benefits or privileges to the elderly (RULE IV, Section 3), in addition to the other privileges provided for under the Act.
6. Penalties
Any person/corporation who violates any provision of the Act shall be penalized according to RULE XIII, Article 15, Section 38 to wit:
6.1. Penalties for Persons
a. Any person who violates any provision of the Act shall suffer the following penalties:
I. For the first violation, a fine of not less than fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) but not exceeding one hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) and imprisonment of not less than six (6) months but not more than two (2) years; and ASEIDH
II. For any subsequent violation, a fine of not less than one hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) but not exceeding two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00) and imprisonment of not less than two (2) years but not more than six (6) years.
b. Any person who abuses the privileges granted herein shall be punished with a fine of not less than five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) but not more than fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) and imprisonment of not less than six (6) months.
c. If the offender is an alien or a foreigner, he/she shall be deported immediately after service of sentence without further deportation proceedings.
6.2. Penalties for Corporations.
a. If the offender is a corporation, organization or any similar entity, the officials thereof directly involved shall be liable therefore.
b. Upon filing of an appropriate complaint, and after due notice and hearing, the proper authorities may also cause the cancellation or revocation of business permit, permit to operate, franchise and other similar privileges granted to any business entity that fails to abide by the provisions of the Act. DcaCSE
7. All TESDA Regional and Provincial/District Offices and Technology Institutes shall reserve five percent (5%) of their training budget for programs for senior citizens.
8. All TESDA Regional and Provincial/District Offices shall ensure that TVET providers in their area of jurisdiction shall abide by these guidelines.
Wide dissemination of this Circular to all concerned is hereby enjoined.
(SGD.) SEC. AUGUSTO BOBOY SYJUCODirector General