Lifetime validity for senior citizens' passport sought
Published Nov 24, 2019 12:00 am
By Charissa Luci-AtienzaÂ
La Union Rep. Sandra Eriguel has batted for a lifetime passport validity for some 7.54 million senior citizens in the country.
La Union Second District Representative Sandra Young Eriguel
(FACEBOOK / MANILA BULLETIN) She said it is about time for the Philippines to follow the example of countries such as Spain in issuing "lifetime passports" for the elderly. "Every country has its own way of honoring its senior citizens through different benefits and privileges. One of the ways by which the Spanish government helps their senior citizens is by issuing them lifetime passports. This saves them from having to go through the rigorous process of commuting to their local foreign affairs satellite office and spending hours waiting in the long lines, especially in their later years," Eriguel said. "Upon applying for or renewing their passports from the age of 65, our senior citizens should be given the benefit of having passports with lifetime validity to help them spend their time on more personal matters, " she pointed out. Eriguel filed House Bill No. 5316, which seeks to grant lifetime validity of Philippine passport to senior citizens. The bill seeks to amend Section 10 of Republic Act No. 8239, otherwise known as the "Philippine Passport Act of 1996" as amended. HB 5316 provides that passports of senior citizens issued or renewed at age 65 and above shall have lifetime validity Under RA 8239, regular passports are valid for 10 years. However, for individuals under 18 years of age, only a passport with five-year validity is issued. Eriguel said her measure seeks to benefit 7, 548, 769 senior citizens in country, citing the records of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), as of September 2019. "This is equivalent to 7.5 percent of the Filipino people. This number is rapidly growing every year making the Philippines as aging populace, "she said. This prompted the creation of the National Commission for Senior Citizens in July this year, aimed at ensuring the full implementation of laws, policies, and programs of the government pertaining to senior citizens, Eriguel noted. "Senior citizens are given importance for their contribution to society during their earlier years. At this stage, most senior citizens no longer have the means nor the capacity to do all the tasks best left to the younger generations, and neither should they. As a sign of respect and gratitude, senior citizens are given benefits and privileges to help them enjoy their golden years with ease, " she said in pushing for the passage of her bill. The House Committee on Foreign Affairs is expected to tackle the measure today, Nov. 25.
La Union Second District Representative Sandra Young Eriguel(FACEBOOK / MANILA BULLETIN) She said it is about time for the Philippines to follow the example of countries such as Spain in issuing "lifetime passports" for the elderly. "Every country has its own way of honoring its senior citizens through different benefits and privileges. One of the ways by which the Spanish government helps their senior citizens is by issuing them lifetime passports. This saves them from having to go through the rigorous process of commuting to their local foreign affairs satellite office and spending hours waiting in the long lines, especially in their later years," Eriguel said. "Upon applying for or renewing their passports from the age of 65, our senior citizens should be given the benefit of having passports with lifetime validity to help them spend their time on more personal matters, " she pointed out. Eriguel filed House Bill No. 5316, which seeks to grant lifetime validity of Philippine passport to senior citizens. The bill seeks to amend Section 10 of Republic Act No. 8239, otherwise known as the "Philippine Passport Act of 1996" as amended. HB 5316 provides that passports of senior citizens issued or renewed at age 65 and above shall have lifetime validity Under RA 8239, regular passports are valid for 10 years. However, for individuals under 18 years of age, only a passport with five-year validity is issued. Eriguel said her measure seeks to benefit 7, 548, 769 senior citizens in country, citing the records of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), as of September 2019. "This is equivalent to 7.5 percent of the Filipino people. This number is rapidly growing every year making the Philippines as aging populace, "she said. This prompted the creation of the National Commission for Senior Citizens in July this year, aimed at ensuring the full implementation of laws, policies, and programs of the government pertaining to senior citizens, Eriguel noted. "Senior citizens are given importance for their contribution to society during their earlier years. At this stage, most senior citizens no longer have the means nor the capacity to do all the tasks best left to the younger generations, and neither should they. As a sign of respect and gratitude, senior citizens are given benefits and privileges to help them enjoy their golden years with ease, " she said in pushing for the passage of her bill. The House Committee on Foreign Affairs is expected to tackle the measure today, Nov. 25.