National ID good for elderly

Republic Act No. 11055, or the Philippine Identification System Act, is a welcome development, especially for our senior citizens.

At present, there is still a lot of confusion as to the kind of ID seniors could use to avail themselves of discounts.

Some establishments do not give discounts unless the senior citizen’s card issued by the local Office for Senior Citizens Affairs is presented, despite the law saying that any government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license, voter’s ID and the like, will suffice.

The national ID will certainly resolve this problem, since the law “aims to eliminate the need to present other forms of identification when transacting with the government and private sector.”

There are also local government units (LGUs) giving additional benefits to senior citizens over and above what the law already provides.

But for seniors to avail themselves of such benefits, they are required to present the ID issued by said LGU to make sure they are residents.

With the use of a national ID, which includes or indicates the address of the senior citizen, there will be no need for LGUs to issue their own ID, which is oftentimes changed every time a new mayor is elected.

Also, there is no more need to apply for a senior citizen ID once you reach 60 years old, since the national ID includes the date of birth, which is all that is needed to avail oneself of benefits and privileges.

ROMULO B. MACALINTAL, senior citizens rights advocate, Las Piñas City