MANILA, Philippines — The Senate Committee on Social Justice on Thursday began deliberations on measures aimed at strengthening government support for senior citizens and protecting the rights of street vendors, with Committee Chairman Sen. Erwin Tulfo emphasizing that legislation should prioritize the welfare of vulnerable sectors.
Tulfo said the committee will examine proposals concerning the National Commission of Senior Citizens, including whether it should remain an independent agency or become a policy-making body attached to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
"This is not merely a question of organizational structure. It is a question of effectiveness," he said, stressing that lawmakers must determine which arrangement would improve services, eliminate overlapping functions, strengthen accountability, and better serve Filipino senior citizens.
The committee also took up a proposed Magna Carta for Street Vendors, which seeks to establish clear rights and responsibilities for vendors while balancing their livelihoods with public order and local government regulation.
Tulfo described street vendors as among the hardest-working Filipinos, many of whom rely on small businesses as their only source of income. He said excessive requirements and the confiscation of goods during enforcement operations often push struggling vendors deeper into debt.
"If their goods are confiscated, how can they recover their investment without falling deeper into debt?" he said.
