Pimentel wants senior citizens extended
free ride in MRT, LRT and PNR trains

Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III wants senior citizens granted a free ride in all government transportation during holidays, including the Metro Rail Transit (MRT), Light Rail Transit (LRT) and the Philippine National Railway (PNR) commuter trains.

He said he would seek amendments to the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010 that grants benefits and privileges to senior citizens, among them 20 percent discount and exemption from the value-added tax on the sale of goods and services from all establishments.

Pimentel is expected to file the new bill soon so that once adopted into a law senior citizens would be given free access to MRT, LRT and PNR rides during official holidays as a way to honor the country's elder citizens for their contribution to nation-building.

Senior citizens also enjoy exemption from the payment of individual income taxes for those considered to be minimum wage earners, and are given a minimum of five percent discount relative to the monthly utilization of water and electricity supplied by public utilities.

They are exempted from training fees for socioeconomic programs and get free medical and dental services, diagnostic and laboratory fees in all government facilities subject to the guidelines of the Department of Health in coordination with PhilHealth.

Only recently, they were granted automatic membership with the PhilHealth, a privilege which provides them with a universal health insurance coverage. Provisions of express lanes for senior citizens are also provided in all commercial and government establishments.

Some five million residents, defined as resident citizens 60 years of and above, enjoy 20 percent discount and VAT exemption on medicines, medical and dental fees, transport fares, services in hotels and restaurants, admission fees in theaters and promotional discount.

The Office of Senior Citizens Affairs are likewise established in all government units while a special senior citizens ward is set up in every government hospital as added services for senior citizens .