REELECTIONIST Vice-Mayor Jimmy Lazatin called on stakeholders to help provide more social support programs for senior citizens at different levels to help them enjoy the remainder of their lives.
He also vowed to support future legislation for senior citizens in the City of San Fernando.
Lazatin said the community should also extend various social support and even emotional cushion for seniors who struggle with health issues and other problems.
“I will support further legislation for our seniors and will strive to support further programs to help them,” Lazatin added.
The City of San Fernando is a pioneer in providing free movie access in various malls as well as ensuring yearly programs and activities for seniors.
But Lazatin said that more should be done to reach those who are not yet under the federated senior’s organizations of the city.
Lazatin also expressed hope that more will be placed under the social pensions under the Social Pension Program for Indigent Senior Citizens program.
He called on qualified senior citizens to apply at the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (Osca), the City Social Welfare Development Office or Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Applicants or their representatives must bring an Osca ID, birth certificate and certificate of indigency upon the application of the program.
However, only citizens aged 60 and above who have no pension from private or government institutions, regular income, or support from their families may enroll in the program while those who have pensions from Social Security System or Government Service Insurance System are not qualified.
In 2011, the national government through the DSWD, introduced the social pension program for indigent seniors aged 60 years old and above who have no pension from private or government institutions, regular income, or support from their families.