PARTIDO Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) standard-bearer Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said it is time to have free health insurance for all senior citizens in the country.
In the SMNI Presidential Debate 2022, Marcos was asked what his plans for more than 12 million senior citizens in the Philippines.
“Siguro ang pinakauna bago pa tayo magpapasa ng bagong batas na napakahilig nating gawin, hindi pa natin naiimplementa ‘yung batas ngayon sa pagbigay ng benepisyo para sa mga senior citizens para sa mga retirees,” said Marcos.
“Mahalaga ito dahil alalahanin natin na ang mga senior citizens kadalasan ay hindi na nagtatrabaho at meron talaga dahil may edad na e may karamdaman din. Kaya siguro idagdag natin dun sa pension ay ‘yung pagbayad na ng kanilang health insurance. Ang gobyerno na ang magbabayad ng kanilang health insurance para kapag meron silang pangangailangan, may karamdaman sila, meron silang pambayad,” added Marcos.
At present, some of the benefits that senior citizens receive are the 20 percent discount and VAT exemption on medicines, food, fares and even doctor fees and hospital bills.
For Marcos, if all senior citizens have free health insurance, it will be a great comfort and help for them, as well as their families.
Marcos added that many senior citizens are also experiencing discrimination. There are senior citizens who are still able and want to work but are no longer accepted by some companies.
“’Yung ganyang klaseng pagpipili na bata lamang para makapasok sa trabaho kung kaya namang gawin ng isang nakakatanda eh bakit hindi i-employ, we should not discriminate against them and instead allow them to continue to work,” he said. (PR)