IN ONE of the formal gatherings I have attended months ago, the master of ceremonies acknowledged the presence of few elderly by calling them “pensioners” instead of addressing them the usual “senior citizens”.
It reminded me of a quondam friend. He was in early sixties at that time (may his soul rest in peace) who came to offer me a pre-need and a pension plan with a most convincing approach, which I supposed based on his own experience. He said you need this because once you become a senior citizen and you visit your children, either your own children or your in-laws will deride your presence as you eat with them by saying “hmmm here again this old man adding burden to the family” (niana pud ning tiguwang, pabug-at sa pamilya). It is because you are old and prepared nothing for them to inherit, not even your health maintenance.
But if you are a pensioner, and your children or in-laws see you approaching to their home, they would immediately order their children to “run, meet your lolo, and carry his luggage, place it inside the coolest guest room.” It is because they have something to get from you. That is reality.
Here is the good news for senior citizens living in Davao city. You will become an instant pensioner once the 19th Council of Davao City will approve the proposed ordinance to give annual financial assistance to the senior citizens, amounting to the P3,000 which will be given every December.
The author Councilor Ralph Abella eased the requirement should this become an effectual ordinance to only one identification card that comes from the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA). There are about 320,000 senior citizens in Davao city that can hopefully avail this financial aid from the local government on top of the DSWD’s P6,000 financial assistance every year.
In behalf of the Senior Citizens Federation of Davao City, I sincerely thank you Vice Mayor Baste and the city council who expedited all commendable efforts, hoping to make this Christmas merrier for the elderly.
abrigodann@gmail.com