Bills that benefit senior citizens

Thank you very much for having given space to the letters of the Philippine Association of Retired Persons, the latest of which Inquirer published last Jan. 19 (“Act swiftly on laws for senior citizens”).

The immediate positive response came from Sen. Bam Aquino, who filed Senate Resolution No. 583, directing the appropriate Senate committee to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, into the provisions of Republic Act No. 7699 or the Portability Law.

The resolution was referred by the Senate to its committee on government corporations chaired by Sen. Richard Gordon and to the committee on labor, chaired by Sen. Joel Villanueva.

Another measure, House Resolution No. 1639, was similarly filed in the House of Representatives by Rep. Francisco G. Datol Jr., of the Senior Citizens party list. The House resolution seeks to review RA 7699, the Portability Law and its implementation in relation with the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, because retirees are not given cash gifts at year-end, the right to increase in pension and the “milestone bonus” for those who reach 90, 95 and 100 years old.

The House resolution points out that retirees under other laws are getting the benefits denied to retirees under the Portability Law. We seniors want the benefits to be equal.

Earlier, Datol filed House Bill No. 6719 seeking more employment opportunities and benefits to qualified seniors, who still have a lot to contribute to the economy and society.

The seniors’ sector seeks speedier deliberation on the above bills and other bills that will benefit the elderly. They deserve more benefits during their sunset years.

MAFEO R. VIBAL,
Vice President-External Affairs and Legislative Liaison Officer,
Philippine Association of Retired Persons,
mafeovibal@gmail.com