Sen. Grace Poe outlined her proposals that would provide more benefits such as a dedicated hospital and universal pension to an estimated eight million senior citizens.
In an event for senior citizens in Meycauayan, Bulacan on Saturday, Feb. 23, Poe vowed to champion her pro-elderly advocacies that included Senate Bill 1704 or the proposed Philippine Geriatric Center Act and SBN 1750 or the Universal Social Pension for Senior Citizens.
“Dapat nang magkaroon ng national geriatric center—isang pampublikong ospital na may espesyalista na nakatutok lang sa mga pangangailangan ng senior citizens,” said Poe, the frontrunner in senatorial surveys.
As for the seniors’ pension, Poe said pension coverage was only about 20 percent. “Dapat magbigay ang gobyerno ng pensyon sa senior citizens na nangangailangan.”
Seniors also need support as many of them are suffering from various ailments.
“Marami na rin ang may iniindang sakit…Masakit na ‘yung likod, masakit na ‘yung kasu-kasuan,” Poe said.
The senator said government should also help able senior citizens for them to provide for their families.
For one, Poe said day care centers and health centers may hire senior citizens who are still competent despite their age to harness their abilities and enable them to contribute to society.
“Importanteng maging produktibong miyembro kayo ng ating lipunan…Kaya sa mga batas na itinutulak ko, ayoko na ng may age discrimination,” said Poe.
Poe also mentioned her mother, veteran actress Susan Roces, who, despite being 77 years old, “continues to work diligently” in the top-rated teleserye “Ang Probinsyano.”
“Ang aking ina na si Susan Roces ay senior citizen na rin katulad ninyo. Kung napapanood ninyo ang ‘Ang Probinsyano’ mapapansin ninyo na ang aking ina ay napakasigasig pa rin pagdating sa kanyang propesyon bilang aktres,” said Poe, adding that her mother would always remind her not to forget seniors.
Poe has filed several bills for senior citizens such as electricity discounts, priority seating for elderly and protection for victims of abuse and violence.
Poe has also pushed for the government to give high priority to indigent senior citizens on subsidies under the tax reform law.(30)
