Seniors group wants info drive on discounts

- Advertisement -

THE National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) yesterday said there should be more information dissemination on the planned increase in monthly discounts for senior citizens to P500 from P260 a month, which is supposed to start this month.

NCSC chairman Franklin Quijano said an increase in allowable monthly discounts for senior citizens amid rising prices of commodities will be very helpful to the elders but there is a need to inform not just the elders but also the merchants who would be implementing the planned increase as some of them may not yet be aware of the changes.

He also advised senior citizens to report to the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) and the NCSC if merchants refuse to implement the planned new discount rates.

- Advertisement -

Speaker Martin Romualdez last month said the Department of Trade and Industry is set to implement the higher increase discount for groceries and prime commodities for senior citizens and persons with disability this month. But the DTI has yet to formally approve the increase.

Quijano, meanwhile, welcomed the approval by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) of the creation of eight regional offices and 96 positions at the NCSC to help ensure efficient delivery of services to the elders.

He said regional offices of the NCSC will be established in La Union in Ilocos Region, Pampanga in the Central Luzon region, Mimaropa region, Legazpi in the Bicol region, Iloilo in Western Visayas region, Cagayan de Oro in Northern Mindanao region, Butuan in the Caraga region, and Ifugao in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).

The creation of the additional offices and plantilla positions would help the NCSC in its mandate of implementing programs for senior citizens. The Department of Social Welfare and Development has transferred the NCSC programs such as Assistance to Older Persons.

“The strengthening of the NCSC is another important step in the development of our country. Our elders are custodians of tradition and culture. Often, they are mediators of peace, mentors, and community leaders. They will always be valuable assets to our nation, so we really take good care of them,” Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said in approving the establishment of the regional offices and positions.

As this developed, Quijano said the awarding of the P10,000 cash gift to elders who would turn 80, 85, 90 or 95 this year may be implemented as soon as the Department of Budget and Management releases the fund and the NCSC releases the guidelines.

He said the NCSC is expediting the crafting of the guidelines for the awarding of cash gifts following President Marcos Jr. ‘s signing into law Republic Act 11982 that grants the benefits to octogenarians and nonagenarians.

RA 11982 expands the coverage of RA 10868, or the Centenarians Act of 2016, which now includes all Filipinos, whether residing in the Philippines or abroad, who turn 80 to be a recipient of a cash gift worth P10,000, and every five years thereafter until they reach the age of 95. Those who reach 100 years are entitled to P100,000.

 

 

Author

- Advertisement -

Share post: