“Organize and file complaints” Solons advice senior citizens

THE plight of those retirees claiming for their benefits and privileges to be accorded to them by law remains to be an issue, as only 20% of the country's senior citizens are listed in legitimate associations that could lobby for the full implementation of the law. Alagad partylist Representative Rodante Marcoleta and Akbayan Rep. Mario Aguja together with House Committee on Population and Family Relations Chair, Western Samar Rep. Reynaldo Uy jointly reiterate the call for senior citizens to organize and advance their rights for the full observance of what is stipulated in the law.

“Of the country's estimated five million senior citizens, only a million are registered in associations while the remaining four million are just plain listed and claims rights but could not lobby for more legislative action,” Rep. Marcoleta said during a forum at the Jjs Seafoods Village recently.

Republic Act 9257 or the Senior Citizens Act of 2003 grants additional benefits and special privileges for senior citizens noting the state's primary duty to take care of its elderly members and designing for their social security programs. Section 4 of the Senior Citizen's Act stipulates that senior citizens be granted 20% discount from all establishments relative to the use of services. It includes price cuts in hotels, lodging establishments, restaurants, recreation centers, purchase of medicines and funeral and burial services.

The law also extends free medical and dental services, laboratory fees and tests in government hospitals and grants 20% on similar services in private hospitals. The same 20% discount is accorded for them in domestic air, sea and land travel, educational assistance and special discounts on purchase of their basic commodities. In Bohol , while claiming these benefits usually run smoothly, what snags is the privilege claim on discounts for purchase of medicines, said City Senior Citizen's Organization Federated President Paulino Biloy. Earlier, senior citizen Porferio Ligason reported to the Congressional oversight team on the implementation of the Act that only two drugstores in Tagbilaran City grant the mandated discount privileges. He named only Rose Pharmacy and Mercury Drug Store.

Governor Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital Chief Dr. Nenita Po added that the pharmacy of the government hospital grants the discounts to senior citizens. Medicines however are not as easily available there, senior citizens said. Knowing that, Rep. Aguja said he would want to implement punitive action upon erring drugstores and vows to implement the strictest provisions of the law, as long as complaints are made. Concerned beneficiaries however would rather not go for the hassles and pay full than meet the drugstore owners in a legal battle.

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