Senior Citizens Party-list Rep. Rodolfo Ordanes (Facebook)

Senior Citizens Party-list Representative Rodolfo "Ompong" Ordanes might have gray hair already, but he has no intention of slowing down in terms of his work as a legislator. 

In fact, he wears it as his badge of honor along with the pro-elderly legislative agenda that he has pursued since the 17th Congress. 

Durring the 17th Congress, Ordanes said Senior Citizens Party-list aggressively fought for the establishment of the National Commission of Senior Citizen. Then, in the 18th Congress, he said the increase of monthly pension of senior citizens from P500 to P1,000 was tackled. 

In the current 19th Congress, he said Republic Act (RA) No.11982 or the law that provides P10,000 for senior citizens once they reach the age milestones of 80, 85, 90, and 95, was enacted. 

“These are but some of measures that were done in honoring our senior citizens in recognition of their great contributions to the community, to the society and in nation building,” said Ordanes. 

Incidentally, the country is currently celebrating Elderly Filipino Week under the theme "Senior Citizen: Building the Nation, Inspiring Generations”. 

Ordanes also said that the proposed law that will provide universal social pension for all senior citizens regardless of their social status had already hurdled the House of Representatives. 

But elderly solon says his work is far from finished as there are still initiatives to pass like the proposed Early Voting Act, Comprehensive Senior Citizen Welfare Act, National Geriatric Health Act, Senior Citizens Protection Against Fraud Act, and the Enhancing the Discount on the Purchase of Goods and Services of Senior Citizens and Person with Disabilities. 

“We will be working with the Senate regarding these proposed laws that also include E-Gov Philippines Super App Act and Rationalizing the Benefits and Privileges of Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities,” he said. 

Ordanes chairs the House Committee on Senior Citizens.