An appeal from seniors

In connection with your news item on the front page of the issue of June 5, 2020 entitled: “Seniors, youth still restricted under GQC”, the Philippine Association of Retired Persons (PARP) would like to share with your readers, excerpts of PARP letter emailed to Cong. Francisco G. Datol, Jr. of the Seniors Party-List on May 27, 2020, entitled “Appeal from Seniors”.

The appeal was prompted by the IATF rule that those below 21 years and above 60 years of age must stay home for they are the most vulnerable groups to COVID-19 infection. The seniors believe that the rule is protective of them, but they also felt that there should more care and attention to the seniors since they are “most vulnerable”. The seniors’ appeal are as follows:

Financial assistance – for medicines, vitamin and medical supplements, since many seniors are under medical maintenance already. In connection with financial assistance, they also request that:

The “social pension” be given to all seniors, The current law provides that social pension is to be given to the indigent and sickly seniors. This law has to be amended.

Start the award of the Centenarian Cash Gift partially by releasing P70,000 at the age of 70 of the seniors and P5,000 every five years thereafter, until the seniors reach 100 years or until their death. The Centenarian Cash Gift Law has to be amended too.

Cong. Datol responded that he already filed the bills for the amendment of these two laws as well as for the increase of social pension.

Social Amelioration Program – PARP also proposed that seniors be included as beneficiaries of the Social Amelioration Program, saying that once seniors stopped earning, they already belong to the SAP population; although the young seniors were still working at the lockdown, they are not being asked to retire;

Cong. Datol informed PARP that he wrote the President regarding the above.

Food assistance – seniors also appealed for inclusion in the food assistance program of the government.

Update or upgrade seniors registry – PARP also suggested that the Government should update, upgrade or streamline the registry of senior citizens throughout the country to avoid duplication and discrimination. The DSWD lists of seniors pertain to the beneficiaries of “social pension” or the PPPPs, hence they are not complete.

Ensure physical distancing – PARP also suggested that the distribution of government aid or relief goods be done by Barangay leaders, on a house-to-house basis, again to avoid duplication, discrimination or negligence. This will also discourage seniors from lining up on the streets waiting for the manna from

benefactors, as shown on tv newscasts.

Lastly, always include seniors’ welfare in government

planning. The seniors have paid their dues to Philippine society through the taxes they paid and through the services they rendered. They deserve utmost care and comfort in their sunset years, not only from their immediate families, but more so from the Government.

Thank you very much. – Atty. MAFEO R. VIBAL, vicepresident – External Affairs and Legislative Liaison Officer, PARP