Press Release
May 20, 2008

Loren seeks 32% seniors' discount to stem EVAT effect

Senator Loren Legarda has moved to increase to 32 percent from 20 percent the discount given to senior citizens, while imposing stiffer penalties on pharmacies that refuse to honor senior citizen cards.

Legarda's proposals, including providing seniors free vaccines against influenza and other phenumococcal diseases, are contained in Senate Bill 2154 which the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development will tackle in a public hearing today (May 21).

Also be discussed is Senate Bill 79, also authored by Legarda, which aims to exempt senior citizens from the payment of real property tax to lift the additional financial burden from them.

Legarda's bills, along with SB Nos. 79, 851, 1657, 1676, 1893 and 1996,, are proposed amendments to the Senior Citizens Act (Republic Act 7432) as amended by RA 9257 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2003.

Chaired by Legarda, the committee hearing will determine the need for additional benefits and privileges to senior citizens as provided in the proposed measures, while evaluating the viability of the proposals.

Legarda said she is seeking the increase to 32 percent of the discount afforded senior citizens because the 12 percent expanded value added tax has substantially lessened the 20 percent senior citizens' discount.

She also lamented reports reaching her office that some pharmacies have refused to honor senior citizens' cards to deprive seniors of discounts, or have imposed additional requirement not provided in the law.

"An additional concern for most elderly is their frequent hospitalization due to their health condition, worsened by their vulnerability to contract diseases during their hospitalization," she said, explaining why she is seeking free vaccination for seniors against diseases frequently contracted by them.

Legarda said that there are 5.2 million elderly Filipinos all over the country (about 6.4 percent of the population), with the number expected to increase to 9.5 percent by 2020.

"We need to recognize our seniors by providing them government and private sector help, as well as social protection in their advanced age," she said.

SB 851 proposes a 20 percent discount to seniors on oil products like gasoline and LPG; SB 1657 seeks to provide monthly monetary assistance to needy seniors: SB 1676 aims to help seniors with their vision problems; and SB 2154 pushes still more benefits to the elderly.

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