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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Villafuerte seeks discounts, privileges for poor 'junior citizens' 

Villafuerte seeks discounts, privileges for poor 'junior citizens' 

Published Nov 26, 2023 07:00 am

At A Glance

  • Camarines Sur 2nd district Rep. LRay Villafuerte is calling on the House of Representatives to pass his bill that seeks togrant discounts and privileges to so-called "junior citizens" or children 12 years old and below. 

FB_IMG_1690086167793.jpgCamarines Sur 2nd district Rep. LRay Villafuerte (Facebook)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Camarines Sur 2nd district Rep. LRay Villafuerte is calling on the House of Representatives to pass his bill that seeks togrant discounts and privileges to so-called "junior citizens" or children 12 years old and below. 

Under House Bill (HB) No. 8312, Villafuerte is proposing automatic free coverage for junior citizens under the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).

“Government support for our young citizens is imperative, especially during their formative years, in order for them to grow up into fully equipped adult citizens,” the bill stated. 

“This is especially important to children from disadvantaged areas, where access to healthcare services is low or limited to private institutions,” it added. 

Aside from the PhilHealth coverage, junior citizens from families with annual incomes of less than P250,000 will be entitled to free medical and dental services, as well as laboratory fees, in government health facilities. 

They will also be granted a 20 percent discount and Value Added Tax (VAT) exemption on various medical services, admission fees, purchase of medicines and milk supplements. This also applies to funeral and burial services in the event of a beneficiary's passing.

Villafuerte, who has authored several measures for the welfare of women, children, and senior citizens, said, “The Philippines has made great leaps in fulfilling its commitment to the United Nation (UN) Millennium Goal of reducing child mortality and improving maternal health.” 

“Our country is working in caring for our mothers and their newborns, with the Congress strengthening this intent even more through meaningful legislation,” he added. 

“The worry, however, is that focus on healthcare is stuck on the first 1,000 days of the child,” the National Unity Party (NUP) president stressed.

The bill states that all junior citizens are covered by Philhealth coverage until they turn 12 years old. 

Under this measure, a junior citizen must secure a Junior Citizen ID and a booklet to avail the stated privileges. --Dexter Barro II 

Related Tags

junior citizens lray villafuerte
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