Optimization of benefits for senior citizens

Per the latest statistics, there are already about 12.2 million senior citizens in our country. Considering that somehow they are now relatively better off than before due to improved benefits/privileges (discounts, health care, physical fitness, dietary meals, etc.), their number is further expected to grow over the years.

Unfortunately, most of our senior citizens have not really been able to optimize these benefits/privileges afforded to them due to the following:

• lack of awareness/appreciation of said benefits/privileges (discounts, pensions, priority lanes, free parking, etc.);
• lack of resolve/vigilance to demand said benefits from business establishments (BEs) that are not compliant with the senior citizens laws and if needed, to file complaints against said owners of said BEs with concerned government agencies (National Commission of Senior Citizens, Office of Senior Citizens Affairs Office-local government units;
• apathy/indifference in asserting their rights/benefits under the senior citizens laws due, among others, to relatively meager/miniscule discounts involved, and/or, being too busy to pursue such menial and/or time-consuming endeavors;
• lack of discrimination in choosing/patronizing BEs (drugstores, restaurants, hospitals/clinics, hotels, etc.) that give discounts, etc., and boycotting those not extending the proper discounts and other benefits.

Discounts/pensions accruing to senior citizens could be fully/further utilized/spent for the more “basic” needs, such as:

• to buy other basic medicines (maintenance, etc.) and for use in check-ups/consultations;
• to buy healthy/diet foods/drinks;
• to spend on healthy forms of exercise (tae bo, ballroom dancing, gym);
• to socialize (dine) with other senior citizens and share happy stories amongst them;
• to save some amount for emergency (and not the “wants” (i.e., latest expensive cell phones, branded shoes, etc.).

Senior citizens are expected to:

• take care of themselves by being able to optimize the use of said discounts/pensions and not continuously depend on and/or expect more government programs/dole-outs in their favor;
• need to be more responsible/vigilant/assertive and concerned about their welfare to minimize dependence on their relatives (children/grandchildren) for their basic needs;
• join senior citizens’ associations and have better representation in the barangays, local government units;
• do their share/be vigilant in ensuring that senior citizens laws are complied with by all concerned BEs;
• ensure that current senior citizens laws/benefits/privileges are strictly implemented/enforced before lobbying/clamoring for more laws which after all may not be adequately/completely implemented.

Against this backdrop, after all, Filipino senior citizens are reputedly the most pampered seniors in the whole world!

Emiliano Manahan Jr.,

advocate and author