Bacolod councilors back Senate Bill securing seniors against frauds

THE Bacolod City Council has approved a resolution supporting the passage of Senate Bill 671 which aims to educate the public, senior citizens, their families and their caregivers in identifying and preventing fraudulent activities targeting senior citizens.

Councilor Celia Matea Flor, who authored the resolution, said Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Ejercito Estrada filed Senate Bill 671, which also gears towards centralizing an inter-agency service for consumer education on mall, telemarketing, and internet fraud targeting the elderly last July this year.

“This measure aims to protect our senior citizens against fraudulent activities through proactive and centralized information and education campaigns,” Flor said.

Considering that most of the elderly consumers are unfamiliar with today’s technology, organized crimes syndicates are taking advantage of this.

She added that both Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) have reported that most of the victims that fall prey to unscrupulous individuals are senior citizens.

Flor, chairperson of the City Council committee on senior citizens and veterans affairs, disclosed that there is a need to look after the vulnerable sectors against scammers and fraudsters and that this bill will be beneficial to the senior citizens of the city. (MAP)