1 week ago
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LEGAZPI CITY – Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Salceda will end his nine-year term in June with vital legislations, foremost of which are laws that secured package of benefits and purchase discounts for senior citizens, about four million of whom are indigents.
Salceda chaired last year the joint House Ways and Means, Senior Citizens, and Persons with Disability committees which worked on the benefits.
After four months of marathon hearings, the tri-committee secured additional significant discounts for senior citizens, especially in medicine purchases.
"We managed to secure a commitment from PhilHealth for an easier registration system and free coverage of senior citizens under the Universal Health Care law, and a higher increase in benefits for top causes of death compared to average increase for all other benefits," Salceda said.
Compared to an average benefits increase of about 30 to 50 percent for all case rates, the benefits for diseases disproportionately affecting the elderly have significantly increased for the to five common causes of deaths among seniors — ischemic heart diseases and cerebrovascular diseases, pneumonia, acute stroke, cancer and diabetes.
"It was also clarified that senior discounts are applied before PhilHealth benefits, leading to an additional savings of between five to 20 percent, depending on how large the deduction is," he said.
In addition, Salceda said the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tuesday) has committed to provide SCs dedicated training programs under a memorandum of agreement with the National Commission on Senior Citizens.
The Department of Labor and Employment will likewisee allow elderly employment under TUPAD (Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers) program, provided they are fit to work.
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Salceda said senior citizens now also enjoy increased discounts on basic goods purchase -- from P260 to P500 per month. SC discounts are on top of promo rates. Previously, promo rates were considered as substitute for discounts.
Other important benefits for senior citizens, Salceda said, are the removal of the booklet requirement for availment of senior discounts on medicines; easier application for senior citizen discounts; and free parking in major malls and other establishments.
Salceda also shared that San Miguel Corporation is now studying how to grant tollway discount of 20 percent to senior citizens, although not required by law.
