Lazatin calls for more social programs for seniors
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — Vice Mayor Jimmy Lazatin yesterday called for stakeholders to help in providing more social support programs for senior citizens at different levels to help them to enjoy the remainder of their l i ves.
Lazatin stressed this during the Seniors Assembly here adding that the local government has been very supportive of all the needs of the city’s seniors.
But Lazatin said that the community should also extend various social support and even emotional cushion for seniors who struggle with their senior problems and health issues.
The city is a pioneer is providing free movie access in various malls here as well as ensuring yearly programs and activities for seniors. But Lazatin said that more should be done to reach more to those who are not yet under the federated seniors organizations of the city. Vice-Mayor Jimmy Lazatin stresses a point during the Seniors General Assembly held in the capital City of San Fernando.
— Ian Ocampo Flora
Lazatin also expressed hope that more will be placed under the social pensions under the Social Pension Program for Indigent Senior Citizens program. Lazatin also called on qualified senior citizens to apply at the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (Osca), the City Social Welfare Development Office or a Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) regional office. Applicants or their representatives must bring an OSCA ID, birth certificate and certificate of indigency upon the application of the program.
However, only citizens aged 60 and above who have no pension from private or government institutions, regular income, or support from their families may enroll in the program while those who have pensions from Social Security System or Government Service Insurance System are not qualified. In 2011, the National Government through the DSWD, commenced the social pension program that aims to aid the indigent seniors aged 60 years old and above who have no pension from private or government institutions, regular income, or support from their families.