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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Provide perks to 'qualified' senior citizens, DILG urges CAR LGUs

Provide perks to 'qualified' senior citizens, DILG urges CAR LGUs

Published Apr 30, 2023 07:19 am
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) called out the local government units (LGUs) to appropriately carry out the delivery of grants and privileges of the qualified senior citizens in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). In a statement, the DILG-CAR reminded the LGUs that this is “mandated by law in a bid to provide full support for their overall well-being and full participation in society.’’ "We are urging that our LGUs ensure that senior citizens' rights and privileges are protected and fully fulfilled. This is to ensure their well-being and full participation in society,” DILG-CAR Director Araceli San Jose reiterated. "Let us be the answer to the hopes of millions of senior citizens who have been clamoring for a more effective implementation of several laws and programs addressing the needs of the elderly. These measures will motivate and encourage our senior citizens to contribute to nation-building while also improving their lives,” she added. Senior Citizens’ Privileges Republic Act (RA) 7432 otherwise known as "The Senior Citizens Act," which was amended by RA 9257 and 9994 (Expanded Senior Citizens Act) states that it is the government's responsibility to provide the senior citizens with employment, education, health, public service, housing, public transport, and other assistance such as social pension and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) coverage assistance. “The law also states that senior citizens should be accorded 20 percent discounts or exemption from the value added tax (VAT) for their needs such as the purchase of medicines, payment for influenza and pneumococcal vaccines, doctors' fees in hospitals and other medical facilities, and medical and dental services in accordance with Department of Health (DOH) and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) regulations (PhilHealth) apart from the 20 percent discounts on public transports which include airplane and shipping fares , movie-houses, concerts, funeral and burial services for the dead elderly,’’ the DILG-CAR lamented. On top of those, San Jose stated that the senior citizens are also accorded with five percent discounts in electric and water bills “as long as the bills are under their names and as long as their electric and water consumptions do not exceed 100 kilowatt-hours and 30 cubic meters, respectively.” Aside from the discounts, San Jose underscored that the minimum wage-earning senior citizens are exempted from paying taxes as mandated by RA 9504 otherwise known as “The Minimum Wage, Personal Exemptions, Additional Exemptions, Optional Standard Deduction’’ Act. Based on Memorandum Circular (MC) 2023-045, the LGUs need not to require the senior citizens to submit additional requirements in case they want to provide them with more benefits. Hence, they just need to present any of the following identification cards (ID) from the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA), passport and other pertinent documents showing that the concerned person is 60 years old or over. In addition to the barangay certificate, leasing agreement, proof of billing and valid government ID, LGUs are not required to request proof of residency from senior citizens. “The department will also like to remind our LGUs to give senior citizens with free health, dental, and laboratory medical services in public hospitals and comparable facilities, in accordance with DOH and PhilHealth laws, whenever the need arises,” San Jose explained. Educational Assistance The government may also provide educational help for post-secondary, tertiary, post tertiary education, vocational or short courses to older adults who seek to continue their studies through scholarships, grants, subsidies, and other incentives. The incentives include aid with the purchase of books, educational supplies, and school clothes, provided that the students pass their chosen courses and shall meet minimum admission requirements. Likewise, the LGUs are encouraged to provide senior citizens with express lanes at private and public institutions or give them priority if such lanes are unavailable.
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