The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has expressed its full support to House Bill (HB) No. 2384 which would increase the incentives for private firms that would hire older persons. HB 2384 -- authored by Reps. Paolo Duterte, Eric Yap, Edvic Yap, and Jeffrey Soriano – proposes the expansion of job opportunities for older people and amending parts of the Republic Act (RA) No. 9994, the Expanded Senior Citizen Act of 2010. "Passage of this bill paves way for the Philippines' further compliance with the International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) by promoting rights of the elderly and their pursuit for self-determination," the CHR said in a statement. "Specifically, HB 2384 upholds older persons’ right to work, social security, and adequate standard of living. It can also empower their right to participate in the affairs of their communities and the country," it said. It lamented the negative prejudices about hiring older people.  Thus, it said: “The proposed incentives of HB 2384 will help eliminate assumptions with regard to employing the elderly. These assumptions include health concerns, lack of technical and technological knowledge, or imminent retirement.” It said that HB 2384 will increase awareness on the importance of employment in the older people’s mental and physical health, social security, and self-reliance, as well as growth of inclusive communities. "Finally, CHR emphasizes the government’s essential role in promoting and protecting the rights of all Filipinos, especially older people," the CHR said. "Passage of the proposed bill not only serves to fulfill the State’s human rights obligations, but also imparts a sense of fulfillment and dignity for the elderly members of our society,” it stressed.