Senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) in San Pedro City are now given more opportunities to become active and productive members of society.
This, after the Sangguniang Panglungsod passed last year City Ordinance No. 2024-13, which will give more slots for senior citizens and PWDs in job opportunities in government and the private sector.
The ordinance, which was authored by Councilor Bernadeth Olivares, aims to "give full support to the improvement of the total well-being of the elderly and PWDs, and their full participation in society."
Under the provisions of City Ordinance No. 2024-13, private sector businesses are encouraged to reserve at least one in every 10 positions for senior citizens and PWDs.
Meanwhile, government offices, including barangays, will reserve at least one percent of all regular and non-regular positions for these sectors.
To further incentivize private businesses to hire senior citizens and PWDs, the city government will also offer tax breaks for them in the form of deductions from their gross taxable income equivalent to 15 percent (for senior citizens) and 25 percent (for PWDs) of the total amount paid as salaries and wages to these sectors.
The San Pedro City Public Employment Service Office (PESO), Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO), Office for Senior Citizens' Affairs (OSCA), Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO), and other local government departments are now tasked with formulating the implementing rules and regulations for this ordinance, which will be released in the next few weeks.
On the other hand, businesses who will commit "misrepresentation, deceit, or deception" in claiming their tax deductions under the city ordinance will face a P5,000 fine or imprisonment of up to one year for their officers.
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