THE 20th Davao City Council has approved on third and final reading the Senior Citizens Work Opportunity Ordinance, which seeks to provide inclusive employment opportunities for senior citizens.
The ordinance, authored by Second District Councilor Diosdado Angelo R. Mahipus, chair of the oversight committee, was passed on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, during a session at the Sangguniang Panlungsod.
In a committee report released to the media, several companies expressed readiness to hire senior citizens without requiring incentives or subsidies from the city government.
The city government of Davao will soon sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Jollibee Foods Corporation and Golden Arches Development Corporation (McDonald’s Philippines). The council has already approved the resolution covering these partnerships. Other businesses are also expected to submit their MOAs offering job opportunities for senior citizens.
City officials highlighted the need to expand employment programs for seniors, noting that many are still healthy, strong, and eager to remain productive members of society.
“There is a need to provide more policies and programs for our senior citizens, including a citywide employment policy that also covers differently-abled persons,” the resolution read. It added that the private sector should be encouraged to implement inclusive hiring programs.
Mahipus first raised the issue in a privilege speech on October 10, 2023. By July 9, 2024, he reported that two major fast-food chains had committed to hiring seniors, with ongoing reviews of the city's employment programs.
Mahipus said that as long as seniors are able and willing, they should be allowed to work. He said their roles in fast-food settings may include taking orders, serving food, and other light tasks.
As of 2024, the Social Welfare Operations Division estimates that Davao City has around 170,000 senior citizens. RGP