Loren: Indigent Elderly Cannot Afford Delay

SENATOR LOREN LEGARDA TODAY URGED PRESIDENT GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO TO PRIORITIZE THE SIGNING OF THE EXPANDED SENIOR CITIZEN’S LAW, WHICH LOREN PRINCIPALLY AUTHORED AND USHERED INTO PASSAGE IN THE SENATE.
“It is not an excuse that she has a busy schedule,” said Loren, in reaction to Malacanang deputy spokesperson Gary Olivar’s statement yesterday that they are still waiting for a free spot in the President’s schedule after her legacy tours of super regions.
“Its signing into law is overdue. While the rich can wait, our indigent senior citizens cannot afford the delay in discounts and benefits,” said Legarda.
The Expanded Senior Citizens Act would give the elderly a full 20-percent discount on goods and services, as a result of being exempted from the expanded-value tax, on top of other benefits. The measure would also give indigent seniors and non-pensioners free medical insurance and disability assistance.
Loren, who principally authored the law, said that “this law is my tribute to Filipino senior citizens who have been and continue to be part of building our nation. It is a time-honored Filipino practice to take care of the elderly in their twilight years because our generation owes a lot to them and their hard work. That is the spirit behind this legislation. We should give the elderly what they deserve, and this ought to be prioritized.”