Sunday, July 06, 2008 P1M allotted for Pampanga senior citizens By Ian Ocampo Flora
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has appropriated P1 million for medical and "assistive" equipments of the Federation of Senior Citizens of the Philippines (FSCP) Pampanga Chapter.
Of the total amount, about P500,000 was utilized for "assistive equipment," which were distributed at the Benigno Aquino Hall at the Provincial capitol grounds here last Saturday.
According to Lucia Gutierrez of the Provincial Social Welfare Development Office (PSWDO), the equipment were purchased after the PSWDO and the Nursing students of Holy Angel University conducted a survey on the needs of the majority of senior citizens in the province's 20 towns.
The survey, she said, reflected the current needs of senior citizens in the province.
Among the most common needs, according to the survey, were wheel chairs, canes and medical equipment like stethoscopes for the community offices of the senior citizens.
The distribution of the equipment was facilitated by PSWDO officials and Governor Eddie Panlilio.
Attending the event were the officers and representatives of senior citizen chapters of San Luis, Sto Tomas, Santa Rita, Minalin, Masantol, Macabebe, Lubao, Floridablanca, Sasmuan, Mabalacat, and Guagua. About 200 members of the said chapters were present in the event.
Gutierrez said the remaining P500,000 would be appropriated for the senior citizens' medical supplies.
Republic Act (RA) 7876 or the Senior Citizens Act of the Philippines mandates that the State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach towards health development giving priority to elderly, among others. It also guarantees government support in the establishment of centers that cater to senior citizens.
According to Gutierrez, these centers need much in terms of medical supplies and equipment.
Officials here said enough resources should be allotted to the growing number of senior citizens in the province to meet the increasing medical needs and other social services.
