WHEN Republic Act 9994 (Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010) was enacted, the law specifically made mention of the word “mandatory” and applies to each and every Filipino aged 60 and above.
The law provides a 20 percent discount on all essential purchases and a monthly pension of P1,000 — an amount that isn’t even enough to cover maintenance medicines.
But in the lakeshore town of Morong (in the province of Rizal), coverage seemed elusive for the qualified elders in view of what looks more like a selective policy by no less than the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA).
In a social media post, a netizen uploaded a photo of a list of pensioners who were stripped from the list of beneficiaries for which senior citizens are wondering. As to why, only the local OSCA would know.
According to an insider, the local OSCA stripped eligible beneficiaries from the list of pensioners who have relatives abroad. In place of those who were stripped are relatives of the OSCA stalwarts.
Regardless of their reason, the local OSCA is bound to observe full implementation of RA 9994 and defiance warrants accountability. People behind the selective policy should be made accountable for non-compliance of a mandatory law which applies to “Filipinos aged 60 and above.”
Allow me to provide an insight as to what the law is all about.
Under RA 9994 provides a social pension for eligible senior citizens with the no less than the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as implementing agency in partnership with the local OSCA. It ensures that frail, sickly, or disabled senior citizens without other means of support receive a monthly stipend to help with their basic needs.
The program aims to improve the living conditions of indigent senior citizens, address their daily subsistence and medical needs, and prevent neglect and abuse.
For one, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) assured that funds are allocated for programs of such large magnitude if only to cover each and every qualified target beneficiary.
The local OSCA should perhaps revisit the law. Which is deemed a crucial government initiative designed to provide financial support and improve the well-being of vulnerable elderly Filipinos, ensuring they have access to basic necessities and can live with dignity.