Utilization and Challenges in the Implementation of the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 in Component Cities in Central Visayas, Philippines

This study examined the extent to which senior citizens in component cities of a first-class province in Western Visayas utilized the benefits and privileges provided under Republic Act No. 9994, as well as the challenges they encountered in accessing these entitlements. Guided by an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design, quantitative data were obtained from 384 registered senior citizens using a researcher-made questionnaire, while qualitative insights were generated through in-depth interviews with 10 selected participants. Descriptive statistics and the Kruskal-Wallis test were employed for the quantitative phase, and the 3Cs method was used for qualitative analysis. Findings revealed that benefits and privileges were utilized to a Great Extent, with discounts emerging as the most utilized and exemptions as the least utilized. Source of income significantly differentiated utilization, with senior citizens without regular income reporting lower utilization. The study further identified implementation and access-related challenges, providing empirical baseline data for strengthening RA 9994 implementation and service delivery.