To assure senior citizens' right to proper and reliable medical assistance
ANGARA EMPHASIZES PROVIDING INCENTIVES FOR THE ELDELRY IN TIMES OF AH1N1 FLU THREAT AND WIDESPREAD DISEASES

Because of the elderly's vulnerability to diseases, Senator Edgardo J. Angara today said that additional benefits should be granted to them especially in these times when diseases are widespread.

"Our elderly should be well-taken care of and must receive proper and reliable medical assistance. In the height of AH1N1 flu scare and other diseases brought about by the rainy season, our elderly are very vulnerable to these health threats. It is imperative that we give them proper attention," said Angara who authored the Senior Citizen's Law of 1992 and Expanded Senior Citizen's Act of 2003.

Senior Citizen's Law (RA 7432) also known as the Angara Law was signed into law by President Corazon Aquino to maximize their contributions and input for the government. In 2003, the Expanded Senior Citizen's Act called for additional benefits and incentives for the elderly in terms of medical assistance, transportation and food expenses.

Because of the discrepancies in the benefits that the senior citizens are receiving, two other bills were filed by Angara to exempt the elderly from the expanded value added taxes (EVAT). SB 65 allows senior citizens to enjoy the full 20% discount privilege on the sale of goods while SB 1657 extends monthly financial assistance to provide social protection to the poor and needy senior citizens of the country.

He added, "The implementation of these privileges not only help our senior citizens in ensuring and easing their daily expenses but also extending to a great extent their incentives which allow them to maximize their resource-spending. This government assistance is a way of providing social protection among the poorest of our senior citizens."