Vice President and opposition leader Leni Robredo forged a covenant with members of volunteer group Seniors4Leni on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, that details her vision for senior citizens under her presidency.
Robredo was joined by her running mate, Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, in the event organized by the Robredo People’s Council (RPC) and Seniors4 Leni.
This pact was crafted by senior citizen advocates long before Robredo joined the presidential race in October last year.
Speaking before the senior citizens, Robredo was delighted upon seeing their vigor once again at the Leni-Kiko Volunteer Center along Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City,
She recounted the active participation of the elderly in her previous campaign sorties in Bicol, Batangas, Laguna, and at the Quezon Memorial Circle, since the official campaign period kicked off last week.
“Pinapakita niyo na hindi nakikita sa edad ang sigasig saka ‘yung lalim at kalakihan ng pagmamahal para sa bayan natin. ‘Yun ‘yung dahilan kung bakit andito tayo ngayon (You are showing that age does not define your enthusiasm and depth of love for country. That is the reason you’re here today),” she said.
If elected president, Robredo said she will address the needs and concerns of the elderly to enable them to continue to be valuable and active participants in the nation’s well-being and development.
“‘Yung mga taon na ginugugol pa dito sa mundo ay hindi lang na mabuhay, pero maramdaman ninyo na malapit na din kami ni Sen. Kiko doon. Magkasunod lang po ang aming edad (The years we’ve spent here on earth are not only to live, but you can feel that Sen. Kiko and I are nearing that. Our age is just next to each other),” Robredo, 56, who’s two years younger than Pangilinan, said in jest.
“Pero maramdaman natin ‘pag seniors na tayo na nakakatulong pa rin tayo (But we feel when we are seniors we can still help),” she continued, turning serious.
The covenant also aims to establish measures that will cushion the economic impacts of COVID-19 to senior citizens, especially those employed in the informal sector, those with disabilities, and those from other poorer sectors.
Her administration will also prioritize the need for a comprehensive database for older persons segregated by sex, age, disability, geographical locations, including Filipinos working and residing abroad.
Robredo’s other priority measures include pension and social protection; ensure physical accessibility of health facilities, goods and services for the elderly; guarantee income security for all older persons; and provide free legal services to older persons at the detention facilities; among others.
In institutionalizing programs for senior citizens, Robredo intends to enable older Filipinos to continue fulfilling their duties as citizens after their retirement.