Charles Teves
A bill sponsored by Senator Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. would reduce the minimum age for senior citizen status from 60 to 56.
Senate Bill 1573 was introduced by Revilla as part of his mission to advocate for social justice legislation in the Senate. This bill will help many Filipinos, especially “the least, the lost, and the last.”
According to Revilla, “Simula’t sapul, ang hangarin ko bilang halal na lingkod-bayan ay matulungan at mapagaan ang buhay ng bawat Pilipino, lalo na ang mga kabilang sa sektor na madalas ay naisasantabi na lamang. Isa na dito ang ating mga lolo at lola. Silang mga buong buhay na nagsumikap at nagtrabaho para sa kanilang pamilya. Silang mga walang humpay na nagaambag sa paglago ng ekonomiya. Tunay na hindi kailanman matatawaran ang kanilang ambag sa pagsulong ng ating lipunan at bansa.”
He added, it is right to lower the age bracket for Senior Citizenship. These days especially during the pandemic, a number has passed on before the age of 60, hence while there is still time, it is right to extend help and benefits at a younger stage. The senator added, “Tandaan natin na ang mga kamay nila ang humubog kung ano man ang magandang tinatamasa natin ngayon.”
Revilla said, according to the Department of Health statistics 7.33% of Covid-19 cases among Filipino seniors resulted in death as of December 2022, while only 0.76% of cases among those aged 18–59 were fatal.
With the passage of Senate Bill 7432, more seniors will be eligible for the protections and services established by the Senior Citizens Act of the Philippines (Republic Act No. 7432).
“The benefits and privileges granted by statutes to senior citizens are indeed numerous, and we believe that they deserve all these,” said Revilla in his explanatory note.
Though the proposal sounds good on paper, many disagree with the bill since it would only promote laziness among Filipinos.
Dr. Tony Leachon provided an explanation as to why Revilla’s bill has more cons than pros.
1. Retirement age will also be adjusted and thus many will be unemployed.
2. We will need more GSIS and SSS funds since senior citizens will be equated with retirement.
3. MWF will risk GSIS and SSS funds
4. Many 56 year old patients are still healthy and might need to work https://t.co/MM1kZhCnux— Tony Leachon MD (@DrTonyLeachon) December 7, 2022
Netizens think Revilla could do better; concerns about funding also came up.
Wala na bang maisip si damBong?… puede ba focus sa ekonomiya at mabuting pagkakitaan pangkabuhayan ng Penoys at hindi panay gastos/sustento?… siyanga pala binalik mo na perang binulsa mo?
— JayDamet (@GazmoEd) December 6, 2022
San kukunin ang pondo??? It's usually not enough nga kaya may seniors ang nagttrabaho pa din hanggang ngayon
— Sheryl (@SherylMountain) December 7, 2022
Funny. This will drain the budget of LGUs providing financial assistance to Senior Citizens!
— JED RONALD FILOTEO (@FiloteoJed) December 7, 2022
Gusto gawin ni #BongRevilla 56 ang senior citizen. Pagkatapos pagusapan ang panukala ng mga galanteng mambabatas, ang teenager senior citizen na rin.
— Pingping Tweets ‘Antiqueño Ako’ (@ping2francisco) December 7, 2022
Balik mo muna ninakaw mo BONG REVILLA @lanimrevilla @jolorevilla
— REAL FACTS 💯 (@realfactsguy) December 7, 2022
Ayan 31M Minions, magretire na kayo para wala kayong work. Kumain kayo ng lugaw. Yan ang privileges nyo.
Sen. Bong Revilla is pushing to lower the age of senior citizens from 60 to 56 years old for earlier access to privileges.
— Bathala de Dios (@AkoAngBathala) December 6, 2022
Under existing laws, senior citizens are entitled to free medical, dental, diagnostic, and laboratory services in all government facilities, a minimum of five percent discount on monthly water and electricity bills, income tax exemption for minimum wage earners, provision of express lanes in all commercial and government establishments; and death benefit assistance, 20 percent discount and VAT (value-added tax) exemption on medicines, medical supplies, and equipment, transportation fares including land and domestic air and sea travel fares, hotels, restaurants, recreation centers, and other places of leisure such as cinemas.
