ANGARA CHAMPIONS MORE YOUTH & SENIOR CITIZENS PROGRAMS

Reelectionist Senator Edgardo J. Angara (LDP) today said he is pushing for more programs that will benefit millions of those who are closest to his heart the young and the young-at-heart.

Angara said that key initiatives on childrens health insurance, science education, and the increase of the discount of senior citizens are among his priorities, when he gets reelected as Senator in the May 2007 polls.

I will concentrate on programs enlivening the welfare and benefits of both the youth and elderly, who form part of the majority of our population. Needless to say, these programs will help ensure a caring future for them, Angara said.

Angara cited the Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP) which he authored and filed to complement the existing PhilHealth Act. CHIP will provide mandatory health insurance to newly-born babies and children of low-income families.

Angara also said the Senate Joint Resolution No. 9 which will create the Competitiveness Commission has been approved by Congress. It is aimed at improving the competitiveness of basic sciences, mathematics and engineering in the education system.

Sciences and mathematics are the bases for information revolution. Unfortunately, we lag behind in these fields, which greatly affect our countrys ability to innovate and compete. The Competitiveness Commission will address this matter, he said.

Senior citizens, on the other hand, are set to receive higher rebates for their goods and services when Senate Bill 2569 is approved. The new bill seeks to grant the elderly 34% discount compared with existing 20% discount. The higher rebate, Angara said, will reverse the effect of 12% Expanded Value Added Tax.

It is very inspiring to see both the young and the elderly reunite, forgetting about their generation gap, just to rally behind you. It makes all your effort and hard work all worthwhile, Angara said when interviewed after filing his certificate of candidacy on Monday.

Angara was accompanied by his family, Laban Demokratikong Pilipino party mates, U.P. colleagues, senior citizens, executive officials, student scholars, Senate employees and supporters from Aurora and Quezon.