Jailed senior citizens can enjoy benefits, too

ILOILO City – Seven registered senior citizen inmates of Police Precinct 1 received identification cards and booklet after registering with the Office of Senior Citizen Affairs (OSCA).

Registered senior citizens can avail themselves of benefits stated under Republic Act (RA) 9994, the amended version of RA 7432 about maximizing the benefit grants to senior citizens.

The registration of elderly inmates was done on May 15 upon the request of Barangay Captain Ma. Rosario Sabando of San Agustin, City Proper.

“We conducted this activity for the benefit of the inmates as per request by their barangay captain since they were not able to go to the office for registration. We considered holding the registration at Police Precinct 1 for their own convenience,” said OSCA head Elpidio Azuelo Jr.

Those with OSCA ID can enjoy lifetime benefits and privileges which include free

medical, dental, diagnostic and laboratory services in all government facilities.

Other privileges for senior citizens are:

* 20 percent discount on medical, dental, diagnostic and laboratory services in private facilities * 20 percent discount for medicines, in hotels, restaurants, recreation centers

* 20 percent discount for domestic air, sea and public transportation

* five percent discount for basic and prime commodities on limited items * 12 percent discount for VAT exemption in purchase of goods; and

* f i ve percent discount i n utilization of water and electricity provided t hat consumption is under the name of the senior citizen.

( Iloilo City