By Anthony A. Araos
So while they’re singing at the chorale contest during the Lagawe Senior Citizens Day program at the Lagawe Central School gymnasium for attending the Barangay Assembly Day meeting of Poblacion North, there is an elderly group standing for glory. This is why they’re so proud! At the end of the day, they’re very happy.
It truly takes great luck, a lot of perseverance and camaraderie and a great leader to sustain and grow an organization. I’ve been very fortunate to see the Poblacion North Senior Citizens Association go from one occasion to another. Members expressed their gratitude to the organization’s President Ben Basilio as well as to Punong Barangay Emerson Inhumang.
As such, it is fitting to have him continue to lead the organization to even greater heights. I look forward to further milestones with Mr. Basilio at the helm. There is nothing to stop me from helping him and the others.
Along with Mr. Basilio, I believe with all my heart and soul that aged residents of the barangay continue to play a key role in the society. To compress so much information about their invaluable contributions so tightly in this commentary is far beyond us.
The growth and development of the elderly sector has always been among my priorities. That is why even before these two gatherings, I’ve been assisting the sector in various ways. To my mind, elderly organizations are more than a grouping of Zumba- loving individuals. They are symbols of hope, promising a brighter tomorrow for villages across the country.
It is timely to reflect on the need to put up a senior citizen’s office in each barangay hall, but also on the pressing call for the full implementation of senior citizen’s benefits as mandated by law.
But my good friend Godfrey Dominong says, okay lang, no need for them to avail of the 20 percent discount, isn’t it a huge amount? Doesn’t he know what he’s talking about? No, he doesn’t.
Under Republic Act No. 9994 or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act, seniors are entitled to a 20 percent discount and a 12 percent exemption from the value-added tax (VAT) when purchasing certain goods and services. All this trash mentality got people interpreting the law into something it is not actually about.
So, Ifugao folks need to know that their indigent elderly countrymen are suffering during these hard economic times. They are given a measly monthly pension of Php 1,000. How horrible, the amount is nowhere near as good. Come on, what is the government really doing to improve their conditions. What do I mean by that? I only wish and pray that they’re given a Php 6,000 pension instead. Remember that they are feeling the brunt of the high cost of living.
They also needed health insurance which they can readily use when needed. All elderlies should have free health insurance for it will be a great comfort and help for them and their families.
Can’t all the barangays provide the service that would allow the senior to simply drop by their barangay hall and get what they need? If we can do it for seniors, we do it for them. I urge each member of congress to support this move. What is notable though is the fact that Filipinos now are calling for a slash of the budget of the corrupt-ridden DPWH. High time to consider moving such funds to this vital concern. The pension program obviously needs urgent attention and enhancement. The impoverished seniors are crying, hurting and struggling. This is who they are.
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