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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Erwin Tulfo to PhilHealth: Provide free eyeglasses and hearing aids to senior citizens, PWDs

Erwin Tulfo to PhilHealth: Provide free eyeglasses and hearing aids to senior citizens, PWDs

Published Aug 20, 2025 05:44 pm

At A Glance

  • Senator Erwin Tulfo criticized PhilHealth for failing to deliver promised free eyeglasses, hearing aids, wheelchairs, and mobility devices to senior citizens and PWDs despite its large budget and benefit packages, demanding concrete action and accountability in upcoming hearings.
Senator Erwin Tulfo said that the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) should provide free prescription eyeglasses and hearing aids to senior citizens.
Sen. Erwin Tulfo presides over the Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development hearing and commits to uphold the dignity, rights, and welfare of the most vulnerable Filipinos, the senior citizens. “Our senior citizens rely heavily on social protection programs for their daily survival and well-being,” Tulfo said in his opening statement on Wednesday, August 20, 2025. (Senate PRIB photo)
Sen. Erwin Tulfo presides over the Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development hearing and commits to uphold the dignity, rights, and welfare of the most vulnerable Filipinos, the senior citizens. “Our senior citizens rely heavily on social protection programs for their daily survival and well-being,” Tulfo said in his opening statement on Wednesday, August 20, 2025. (Senate PRIB photo)
He said this during the inaugural hearing of the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare, and Rural Development. Sen. Risa Hontiveros, who attended the said committee hearing, pressed further on this, saying that Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) should also be covered. 
“I believe you can provide those to our senior citizens and PWDs given your enormous budget. You cannot simply say that they receive social pension because they allot that to their daily budget, particularly for food,” the Senate Social Justice Panel pointed out. 
According to PhilHealth Chief of Social Insurance Specialist Jojit Mislang, the requirements are being prioritized first before the delivery, and the benefit packages for prescription eyeglasses and hearing devices are not covered by the existing benefit packages. 
Tulfo then demanded the presence of PhilHealth President and CEO Edwin Mercado in the next hearings of the said panel, citing promises made in the past that continue to be hanging. 
“Since last year, you kept on saying that there are available free prescription eyeglasses and that you will deliver these. Senior citizens need these devices on their daily life, why can’t we give it to them? That will not require hefty amount to be purchased so let’s give it to them,” the lawmaker further underscored. 
“Tell your leader that this Committee is not happy with false promises. Simple eyeglasses, walking stick, baston, hearing aid for senior citizens and PWDs, you cannot provide. We need concrete actions. I am expecting that for the next hearing,” Sen. Erwin Tulfo added. 
“You have allocations from the national budget, PCSO, PAGCOR and you cannot provide free eyeglasses for seniors and PWDs? I need answers.” he said.
He also called out PhilHealth for failing to deliver free wheelchairs and assistive mobility devices to senior citizens. 
It was also revealed during the hearing that senior citizens have yet to receive the free wheelchairs and assistive mobility devices despite them being part of the benefit package of PhilHealth. 

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