Wednesday, November 14, 2007 Editorials: Social protection for senior citizens
AT present count, 6.5 percent of the around 90 million people in the country are 60 years old and above.
This means 4,565,560 are more than 60 years old, with the women outnumbering the men by almost 400,000.
Majority of our senior citizens, however, are living below the poverty level and not getting the care they deserve.
But in recent years, as an expression of compassion for our elders, a law was passed that give senior citizens 20 percent discount when they purchase basic needs, like medicines, food from restaurants, transport fares, etc.
The problem is that the law is honored only by owners of establishments in cities and big towns.
The reason given by other owners is that they are small and cannot afford to give discounts.
Now, reports say two bills, authored by Sen. Edgardo Angara, have been filed in the Senate to further extend benefits to senior citizens.
Financial aid
Senate Bill 1657, or the “Needy Senior Citizens’ Financial Assistance Act,” seeks to give senior citizens financial assistance.
It calls for the issuance of special identification cards.
Senior citizens holding special IDs will be entitled to a monthly stipend of P1,500 from the National Government, transferred to their personal account.
It is tantamount to a monthly pension and will qualify the holder to a business loan of up to P15,000 at zero interest and without collateral.
Shield
Exemption of senior citizens from the coverage of the expanded value-added tax (E-Vat) on the sale of goods and services is the subject of Senate Bill 65.
It seeks to amend the 2003 Expanded Senior Citizens Act to shield the 20 percent discount privilege of the elderly from the increase of the tax rate from 10 to 12 percent.
The bill, according to Angara, addresses the discrepancy and seeks to exempt senior citizens from the E-Vat.
Implementation
But while these bills ensure more enjoyable years for the elderly, their implementation, if they become laws, has to be carefully monitored so these won’t be taken advantage of by the shrewd and materially oriented.
The loan privilege, for instance, may push the senior citizens instead to a situation of indebtedness, negating the envisioned social protection.
