More benefits, higher pensions for elderly, urged

“Society needs to address a sector of our community that has contributed much in making it what it is today.  Our seniors are, after all, very much a part of the society they live in.’

Thus, declared councilor Elmer Datuin at the launching of the city’s Elderly Month celebration at City Hall, Oct. 3, during flag-raising rites.

“Isn’t it about time, finally, to expand the benefits of seniors? Are benefits for the elderlies in terms of simple discounted rates being properly granted? Are the unavoidable ways of living life as a senior citizen being monitored to ensure that they enjoy the simple amenities of life they are now striving to manage?” he asked.

Datuin, chair of the august body’s committee on social services, women and urban poor, said that there is the utmost need to make government care far more in ameliorating life of the elderly in these times.

“Surely, the government can do more in providing our senior citizens safety nets amid these economically challenging times.  It’s about time we pay serious attention to a plight common to our elderly,” he stressed.

Government must no longer remain blind to the economic hardships faced by seniors who can hardly afford the high prices of basic commodities, especially medicines.

“Our dream is that senior citizens should have free maintenance medicines for the rest of their lives and when hospitalized, to have a zero billing at any public hospital in the entire country,” Datuin said.

He added that the minimum pension of senior citizens should be at least P5,000 a month regardless  of their status in life as done in advanced countries.

“It’s about time that the government allocates more resources that will help our seniors, whose lives are nearing an end,  to live more years in basic comfort and their needs are met,” Datuin said. – Gaby B. Keith