‘It’s more fun in the Philippines’

Several years after my son moved to the United States to practice his profession as a medical doctor, he decided to petition us for permanent residency in America. For a number of reasons, I was not too keen on the idea but nevertheless my wife Penny went on to submit her application, which eventually was approved. I held on to my tourist visa which was valid for a number of years.

Whenever we would travel together to the United States, I would line up with the other tourists while she would join the queue for US citizens and permanent residents or green card holders.

Most often we experienced no problems but on two occasions, immigration officers would ask with whom I was traveling. When I mentioned my wife, they would ask for her and then express surprise that she was a permanent resident. Our different travel documents appeared to raise some suspicions and so we were directed to undergo secondary checks, which meant reporting to other immigration officers to clarify the difference in our travel status.

On the first occasion, the lady immigration officer asked me to explain why I was on a tourist visa while my wife was a permanent resident. Apparently my detailed explanation was satisfactory and our passports were returned to us. We picked up our luggage and took a ride to our hotel. The only inconvenience was that we were among the last of our group to leave the terminal.

About a year later, on entering the United States, I was again asked to explain my tourist status in contrast with my wife’s permanent residency. You may find this difficult to believe but the lady who interviewed me earlier was exactly the same officer who listened to my explanation this time. And after some time, we were cleared to proceed to our destination.

Now, let me backtrack a bit.

We have always enjoyed our stay in the United States particularly the Midwest where our granddaughters were born and educated. They live in a small community in the suburbs of Chicago and I consider it a great place for raising kids. However in terms of scenic attractions, I probably would choose the West Coast, particularly the Monterey Peninsula with its 17-Mile Drive and Carmel-by the-Sea. Of course being a golfer, the main drawing power of the place for me would be three of the best courses in the world— Pebble Beach, Spyglass and the Links at Spanish Bay. Pebble Beach was solidly booked, but I was able to tee off at the other two, courtesy of a generous cousin who treated us to a weekend at Carmel.

Now after two knee replacement operations and foot surgery, Penny finally decided that it was time to slow down and just enjoy the comforts of home surrounded by a couple of caregivers and household help at her beck and call. She went over to the US Embassy and surrendered her green card in exchange for a 10-year tourist visa. When asked by friends why in heaven’s name she gave up something that thousands who line up every day along Roxas Boulevard hope to eventually obtain, she merely replies: “It’s more fun in the Philippines.” Growing old, that is. This should make Mon Jimenez jump for joy.

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Senior citizen concerns.

Calling the attention of Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman or Undersecretary Alicia Bala. It may be time to review certain guidelines covering the privileges of senior citizens.

A number of senior citizens have inquired about whether implants like titanium knee replacements and stents in angioplasty operations are covered by the Senior Citizen Law. They refer particularly to a pertinent provision of the current implementing rules and regulations of the law (RA 9994), specifically Rule IV, Article 7, Section 1 (B), which reads as follows:

Essential Medical Supplies, Accessories, and Equipment—the 20 percent discount and VAT exemption privilege shall also apply to the purchase of eyeglasses, hearing aids, dentures, prosthetics, artificial bone replacements like steel, walkers, crutches, wheelchairs whether manual or electric- powered, canes, geriatric diapers and other essential medical supplies, accessories and equipment by or for senior citizens.

They argue that titanium knee replacements are actually artificial “bone replacements” while stents are considered “essential accessories” for senior citizens who undergo cardiac surgery. For that matter, other titanium implants should also be considered under this provision. Aside from the professional fees of surgeons, these items constitute some of the more expensive needs of senior citizens.

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Jose R. Gapas, president and chairman of the board of trustees of the Soil and Water Conservation Foundation in Cebu City, wishes to bring to the attention of President Aquino the plight of senior citizens who are retirees from both the government and the private sector.

According to Gapas, the Expanded Senior Citizen Act of 2003 (RA 9257) provides that “retirement benefits of retirees from both the government and private sector shall be regularly reviewed to ensure their continuing responsiveness and sustainability, and to the extent practicable and feasible, shall be upgraded to be at par with the current scale enjoyed by those in actual service.” I note that this provision of the law is also carried in the latest version of the Expanded Senior Citizen Act of 2010 (RA 9994).

He also points out that “since the administration of your beloved mother, President Cory, there has been a series of increases and adjustments of the compensation of citizens in the public service. But no increase has been given to senior citizen pensions.” He asks the President not to forget these retirees and makes the observation that any increase that may be given them would be used mainly for basic necessities particularly food.

In this connection, we are calling the attention of Party-List (Senior Citizens) Representatives Godofredo V. Arquiza and David L. Kho.

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Olivia L. Castillo writes to say that there are still many cases of business establishments not honoring the Senior Citizen Law. My advice is not to be shy about arguing with management. When they realize that you are fully aware of the provisions of the law and are willing to insist on your rights, they usually back down to save themselves from embarrassment.