Senior citizen alert

First, an update on a hero.

Last week, I visited First Class Cadet Alfonso Aviles at the V. Luna General Hospital. Although I was unable to speak to him—he is still under intensive care—his doctors informed me that there has been some progress in his fight for survival and recovery. He is now off the mechanical ventilator and is breathing on his own. He can open his eyes every now and then, but there is no sign that he is able to respond to any form of stimulus.

For those who missed my column last week, Cadet Aviles was in Manila to serve as a proctor during the Philippine Military Academy entrance examinations conducted recently. While riding in a jeepney, a gunman announced a holdup and proceeded to divest the passengers of their valuables. Aviles, also a passenger, tried to subdue the robber. But unfortunately, the man was able to fire his gun hitting the cadet in the neck.

A number of high-ranking officials have dropped by the hospital to personally look into Aviles’ condition. PMA Superintendent Maj. Gen. Alfredo Peralta Jr. and members of his command are keeping a close eye on the cadet. AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Jessie Dellosa also paid a visit to ensure that the young man gets what he needs in terms of medical care. I understand that Senators Gregorio Honasan and Panfilo Lacson also dropped by. These high-level visits are good for the morale of the family as well as that of the members of the Cadet Corps.

Aviles has a long way to go if he is to be able to resume his military career. We all pray for a full recovery, but whatever happens, his actions will be remembered as those of a hero. We owe him the best medical care the country can give as well as the recognition that befits his courage and selflessness. We call on Quezon City Police District head, Chief Supt. Mario de la Vega, to redouble efforts to capture the gunman who endangers the lives of everyone in the community.

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Senior citizen concerns.

A number of our senior citizens who are members of private clubs have asked me how the Senior Citizen Law applies to restaurants and food establishments inside their facilities. They mentioned that some clubs do not appear to honor their senior citizen status claiming that these clubs are exempt from the law.

There is some confusion, or to be more accurate, some distinctions when it comes to private clubs. Let me try to clarify these differences in the application of the Senior Citizen Law.

According to Section 4 under Rule IV of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act. No. 9994, also known as the “Expanded Senior Citizen Act of 2010,” nonprofit, stock golf courses and country clubs which are not open to the general public and are private and for exclusive membership only, as proven by Securities and Exchange Commission registration papers, are not mandated to give the 20-percent senior citizen discount. “However, should the restaurants and food establishments inside these country clubs be independent concessionaires and the food sold are not consumable items under club membership dues, they must grant the 20% senior citizen discount.”

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Quezon City senior citizens are still complaining of the lack of consistency in the implementation of free parking for them.

In August last year, Mayor Herbert Bautista and the Quezon City Council passed Ordinance No. SP 2081 “exempting all senior citizens of Quezon City from the payment of initial rate for parking fees in establishments, malls, hospitals, parking areas, or any similar places within the territorial jurisdiction of the city and providing penalties for violations thereof.”

Today, a year after the city council passed this ordinance; most establishments in Quezon City have been cooperating well in the implementation of the law. However, there is one firm that insists on having its own interpretation of the law, saying that it is reserving only a limited number of parking slots for senior citizens and when these slots are occupied, senior citizens would have to pay the normal parking fees.

There is no such provision in the city ordinance and, therefore, this is another example of a business or company coming up with its own version of the law. SM North Edsa continues to enforce its own interpretation of the law unlike other SM malls in the city. It is time for the city council to be more strict in guarding against violations of this ordinance. The Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) of Quezon City appears to be helpless in enforcing the law properly.

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Dr. Marietta Reyes-Otero of the UE Graduate School has come up with a project dubbed “ALOLA,” which stands for “Alay Kay Lolo at Lola.” It consists of a wellness program that includes medical and dental services, counseling services, and physical fitness regime for the elderly. A UE Graduate School research team conducted a pilot study on the attitude of senior citizens toward the aging process and a graduate school wellness program. The study showed that after exposure to the wellness program, 97 percent exhibited a positive attitude toward the aging process. Congratulations to Doctor Otero and her team.

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Finally, a word of caution for our senior citizens. Election time is just around the corner. Politicians of all stripes will be needing your votes come May. They will make all kinds of claims about being champions of senior citizens. Be wary and be prudent in your choices. We all know that right after the elections, many politicians will have forgotten everything about the senior citizen.

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In the latest issue of Time Magazine, there is an article on “Sex Strikes: Are They Worth It?” It has to do with women holding back on sex in order to force their husbands to do their bidding.

According to a United Nations report, in the Philippines, a pledge was made for no sex until a violent southern region becomes more peaceful. The duration was for a week in 2011. The result: overall decrease in hostilities and increase in prosperity. No specifics were given.