Raise benchmark to 90 years old

THIS IS in reaction to Ramon J. Farolan’s April 4 column titled “The wonderful world of a senior citizen.”

Yes, I agree with Farolan! Instead of the age of 100 as the benchmark, it should be 90, which is more reasonable and attainable for more of our elderly. At this lower age, they will still be able to enjoy the largesse. After another 10 years, they might already have dementia. Of what use, then, will the money be to them? For a grander wake and funeral, perhaps?

I am 90 years old now and with “God’s grace and good genes,” I am looking forward to another 10 years. You can imagine what the gift of P100,000 will mean to me, as Farolan suggested. (Why not P1 million?)

And then again, a cash gift can easily be spent, but benefits such as discounts and exemptions will be more appropriate. Such as: (1) 50-percent (not only 20-percent) discount on medical needs like medicine and hospitalization; (2) exemption from paying real estate taxes on the property where an elderly lives in.

Yes, indeed! What a wonderful world it will be for us, the 90-year-olds and above who have been through six regimes, the American occupation, the Commonwealth, the Japanese invasion, the dictatorship, Edsa and post-Edsa.

—CONSUELO D. SISON,
10 Alpha Rd., Alpha Village,
Capitol Hills, Quezon City