CHIZ SUPPORTS MORE BENEFITS, PRIVILEGES FOR SENIOR CITIZENS

Opposition Sen. Chiz Escudero yesterday said he is supporting efforts to provide senior citizens with more benefits on top of what they are already receiving under the law.

"Our senior citizens have played, and are still playing, a vital role in our continuous pursuit of excellence in nation-building. Where this country is today, or whatever benefits we enjoy at present, would not be possible without their immeasurable contributions to the furtherance of a better Philippine society," Escudero said in a statement.

"With this, it is but fitting to grant our senior citizens what is due to them. We have a lot to learn from them as they also stand to learn a lot from the youth."

The 40-year old senator is set to attend the Senior Citizens Congress sponsored by the government of Cebu City to be held in Cebu City on October 24 as a keynote speaker.

"I am in favor of granting senior citizens more benefits in whatever form, for as long as it is not contrary to public policy. I believe there is sufficient basis to augment the current privileges they enjoy in order to provide them with a better and more comfortable way of living," Escudero said in a statement.

The event is in celebration of Senior Citizens Month and is in coordination with the Federation of Senior Citizens Associations of the Philippines, Inc. (FSCAP), Department of Social Welfare and Services and the Cebu City Senior Citizens Council.

Escudero said he will seriously look into the legislative proposals made by different senior citizens group aimed at enhancing the benefits they enjoy under current laws.

These proposals include: institutionalizing the 1% allocation from the National and LGUs' annual budget set aside for senior citizens; membership in local legislative councils; free medical services/hospitalization in government hospitals; old age pension or living allowances to non-pensioners; home for the aged; geriatric wards in government hospitals; and livelihood programs and medical or legal centers, among others.

"These proposals are commendable because they were formulated by the very persons who represent the sector that stands to gain if these become law or institutionalized. I will include these concerns in my legislative policy," Escudero said.

The senator also lauded Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmena for granting senior citizens in the city P4,000 as birthday and Christmas gifts, on top of an increased burial assistance of P10,000 from P5,000.

"This shows how Mayor Osmena values the elderly of the City of Cebu. His programs for senior citizens truly deserves commendation and should be replicated in other local government units," Escudero added.