Saturday, July 26, 2008 Gov’t to release VAT subsidy for elderly
PRESIDENT Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Social Welfare Secretary Esperanza Cabral on Friday led launching of the “Katas ng VAT: Tulong sa Senior Citizens” program in Pasig City.
The program aims to help the people cope with the global crises on food and fuel.
Pasig Mayor Bobby Eusebio and Representative Roman Romulo were also present during the event held at Felix Avenue in Barangay Manggahan in the city.
During the launching, the President said the people should still brace for the worse even if the government has gained some success in fighting the rising costs of food and fuel because the problem cannot be resolved overnight.
“We have to be honest and clear-eyed that there has been a fundamental shift in global economics, and the prices of rice and fuel will likely remain high. We cannot resolve this overnight but we can work to ease the near-term pain and invest in long-term solutions," she said.
She said the global problem of food and energy sufficiency calls for self-reliance through long-term solutions which is already being adopted by the government.
According to Cabral, 1,000 beneficiaries of the subsidy have been identified by the department.
The 20 senior citizens who were awarded with the P500 subsidy last Friday came from Pasig City.
About one million senior citizens nationwide will get the one-time cash subsidy starting July 25 up to December 31, 2008.
Cabral explained that to avail of the P500 one-time cash subsidy, recipients must at least be 70 years old and above.
They also are not covered by the Social Security System (SSS), Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), the Armed Forces Savings and Loan Association, Inc. (Afpslai) and other government retirement plans.
Lastly, they must not have regular income.
Senior citizens have to present their identification card issued by the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs, or birth certificate to validate their age.
The “Katas ng VAT: Tulong sa Senior Citizens” is part of the package of subsidies that President Arroyo has promised to older persons to help them cope with the rising prices of basic food commodities, fuel, electricity, medicines, and other needs. (WV/Sunnex)
