by Ernesto T. Solidum
Kapehan sa Aklan guests on the topic Senior Citizen are shown in the above picture. They are (l to r) Mr. J’Roel Del Rosario, Atty. Arnaldo Tejada, Sr., and Ms. Roselyn G. Salazar.
Kapehan guests on August 22, 2009 discussed the topic "Senior Citizens". Resource speakers were Ms. Roselyn G. Salazar, Social Welfare Asst.; Atty. Arnaldo M. Tejada, President – Federation of Senior Citizens–Aklan; and J’Roel del Rosario, Manager – Philhealth–Aklan.
According to Dr. Ambrosio R. Villorente, senior citizens on the basis of their acquired knowledge and experience must have vital roles in nation building however limited due to physical disadvantages. They should perform as models for the youth. Yet, it appears that senior citizens are subjects of social supports.
Atty. Ronquillo C. Tolentino cited Article IV, section 4 of the Cons-titution stating that it is the duty of the family to take care of its elderly members while the State may design programs of social security for them. RA 9257 of 2004 grants additional benefits and privileges to senior citizens. Salient provisions of this Act are the following: a) motivate and encourage the senior citizens to contribute to nation building, b) encourage their families and the com-munities they live in to reaffirm the valued Filipino tradition of caring for the senior citizens, c) give full support to the improvement of the total well being of the elderly and their full participation in society, d) recognize the rights of senior citizens to take their proper place in society, e) provide a comprehensive health care and rehabi-litation system for disabled senior citizens, and f) recognize the important role of the private sector in the improvement of the welfare of senior citizens and actively seek their partnership.
Atty. Tejada said, the first Senior Citizens Act was passed in April 1992 during the time of Pres. Corazon C. Aquino. This was inspired by the Senior Citizens Movement founded by Mrs. Aurora Aquino, mother of Ninoy. RA 9257 created the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) whose head in a town is appointed by the Municipal Mayor for a term of three years. OSCA implements policies and guidelines related to contributions of senior citizens to the community (tutorial/consultancy services), privileges (20 percent discount from all business establishments) and government assistance (employment, education, health). To be qualified of benefits/privileges, persons at least 60 years of age must secure ID issued by OSCA.
The present OSCA building in Kalibo headed by Mr. Fernando dela Cruz is under renovation and is expected to open by December 2009 revealed the former Alderman. It is a pity that electrical installations worth P30,000 have been stolen from the building, hence its temporary closure.
Violations under this Act shall be fined P50,000 and imprisonment of not less than six months for first offense. Subsequent violations shall be fined P100,000 and imprison-ment of not less than two years. Atty. Tejada confirmed that qualified senior citizens are recently given P500 out of the "Katas ng Vat".
Ms. Salazar cited the role of DSWD under RA 9257 which are the following: a) Self and social enhancement services (socializing, organizing, creative expression) actively undertaken by OSCA Libacao, b) After care and follow-up services (counseling), c) Neighbor-hood support services (caregiving) and d) Substitute family care (residential care for neglected, abandoned, homeless senior citizens).
Salazar announced that October 1 – 7 is senior citizens week celebration and all senior citizens in the province are cordially invited to attend the program on October 1 at the ABL Sports Center, Kalibo.
Mr. Del Rosario said that PhilHealth provides medical insurance coverage to qualified members, 60 years of age and above and who have remitted their premiums of P120.00 per month. Privileges are also granted to their children less than 20 years of age including illegitimates and their spouses. The agency covers govern-ment employees in the active service, retirees, SSS members, and self employed persons paying their monthly premiums.
Indigent senior citizens are provided health insurance coverage under the Universal Insurance scheme generously funded by P10 million contributed by Cong. Joeben T. Miraflores and Gov. Carlito S. Marquez. Presently, there are 53,000 beneficiaries of the program with only P8.7 million spent so far said Del Rosario. Nabas, Makato, and Tangalan have supported the program out of IRA funds.
PhilHealth deductions from hospital bills amount to 20 percent while another 20 percent is granted to a qualified senior citizen.
Issues and concerns are difficulties faced by senior citizens in availing the 20 percent discounts in medicine, transport fare, supermarkets and other business establishments despite presentation of ID’s and purchase booklets. Apparently aging population are weak, senile, and dependent hence their legal privileges are often ignored or withheld.
For instance, pres-cribed maintenance drugs for the elderly patient (diabetic, hypertensive, and others) need to be updated by a competent physicians and reflected on the procurement booklet. This means consultation fee of P180 which in effect totally negate the 20 percent senior citizen discount. Again, the drugstores require that prior written certification of the patient must be secured if patient delegates it to someone. This is unnecessary paperwork since some patients are seriously debilitated that even signing their name is a great ordeal. Why can’t they make simple guidelines?
Worse, offenders can be tricycle drivers and bus conductors who routinely choose to ignore and flaunt the law. Presently, OSCA building has even closed for over a year and obviously no case has ever been filed and acted for the period.
Apparently, programs and social services designed to develop and assist the elderly are very inadequate. Listings of senior citizens who have reached age 60 are far too numerous now compared to previous generations because of government reorganization, and company downsizing. Their talents and training expertise could be invaluable assistance to less fortunate sectors of society but because of absence of credible and sustained program, this important resource is not appreciated. Bottom line is that senior citizens in this country have little impact on nation building or empowered as a group to avail of privileges under the law and improve chances of survival in this tough economic times. /MP
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