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SOCIAL SERVICES

Magna Carta for the Senior Citizens


"Mr. President and esteemed colleagues in this august body, your Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development, chaired by this representation, is proud to report to you the product of our study, hearings, and consultations on the proposed law recognizing the rights of and granting additional benefits to our beloved Senior Citizens.

Ginoong Pangulo, ang Committee Report No. 89 ay isang panukalang batas na naglalayong magbigay pugay sa kadakilaan at kabayanihan ng ating mga nakatatandang mamamayan na nagambag ng pawis at dugo upang ating makamit ang kalayaan at kaginhawaang ating tinatamasa sa kasalukuyan. Tunay na nararapat lamang na sila ay ating kilalanin at suklian ng pagmamahal.

Ang katandaan ay simbolo ng ganap na kalinangan at karunungan. Ang mga nakatatandang miyembro ng ating lipunan ang sandigan ng ating pagiging isang matatag na lipunan. Sila ang susi sa ating kasaysayan at tulay sa magandang hinaharap.

Ginoong Pangulo, lahat tayo ay tatanda rin gaya nila. Ang ilan sa atin ay nandun na ngunit patuloy pa ring nagsisilbi sa bayan. Naniniwala ang inyong lingkod na obligasyon natin, bilang mga mambabatas, na kilalanin ang mga karapatan at bigyan ng dagdag na benepisyo ang ating mga minamahal na Senior Citizens.

Ginoong Pangulo, ang Committee Report No. 89 ay produkto ng pag-aaral ng labing-pitong mga panukalang batas, at ito ang Senate Bill Numbers 400, 446, 709, 905, 908, 1079, 1174, 1175, 1399, 1465, 1538, 1710, 1769, 2017, 2202, 2206 and 2214 na isinumiti nina Senate President Franklin Drilon, Senator Edgardo Angara, Majority Leader Loren Legarda-Leviste, Senator Robert Barbers, Senator Manuel Villar, Senator Renato “Companero” Cayetano, Senator Robert Jaworski, Senator Gregorio Honasan, at ang inyong lingkod. Kasama ko rin ang Senate Committee on Ways and Means na pinamumunuan ni Senador Ralph Recto, senate committee on finance ni senator manuel villar, at ang Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments, Revision of Codes and Laws ni Senator Edgardo Angara sa pagaral sa panukalang ito.

Ginoong Pangulo, ang ating mga minamahal, at pinahahalagahan sa araw na ito na mga Senior Citizens, ay matagal ng napabayaan at nakaligtaan ng gubyerno, bagaman ang kanilang kontribusyon sa ating ekonomiya at kultura ay hindi matatawaran. Noong kanilang kabataan, sila ang nagdepensa sa ating bansa at nagtaguyod sa ating kalayaan. Sila rin ang nagaruga sa ating lahat at naghubog ng ating puso at isipang makabayan. Sa dapit-hapon ng kanilang buhay, kinakailangan nila tayo upang sila ay suklian ng pagmamahal, respeto at higit na pagunawa.

In the course of public policy over the years we have been guilty of putting aside consideration of issues concerning our Senior Citizens and their needs. Perhaps this is because our Senior Citizens are not as vocal as they once were, or because some people choose not to hear them, or even worse, choose to ignore them. Whatever the reason, we should not and cannot allow this to happen. To my mind, this is utter insensitivity. We often forget that we, the younger generations have a lot to learn from the generation before us. Indeed, it is always a pleasure to share their wealth of experience and knowledge, because the stars still twinkle brightly, even in their twilight years.

Sa pamamagitan ng Republic Act No. 7432, o ang Senior Citizens Law, na inisponsor ni Senador Angara noong 1991, nakabawi ang ating gubyerno sa matagal na panahon na hindi pagpansin sa mga karapatan at pangangailangan ng ating nakatatanda. Humigit isang dekada mula ng pagpasa sa RA 7432, napapanahon na upang tingnan muli at pag-aralan ang kalagayan ng ating mga Senior Citizens. At bilang muling pagkilala sa kanilang kabayanihan, karapat-dapat lamang na madagdagan ang mga benepisyo na ibinibigay ng kasalukuyang batas.

Mr. President, this bill recognizes the fact that our service system for Senior Citizens is woefully in need of public policies that will go beyond lip service, and provide real and consistent support. Towards this end, this Bill seeks to ensure for our Senior Citizens the following:

  • The availment of employment rights and training programs for those who have reached the compulsory retirement age under existing laws but are still willing and able to continue with their employment;

  • Unconstrained access to formal and non-formal education;

  • Establishment of a National Health Program for Senior Citizens;

  • Setting up of residential care or group home for the Aged in every province;

  • Recognition of Civil and Political Rights of the Senior Citizens and protection against violation of the same;

  • Granting of additional benefits and privileges in the form of discounts, tax exemptions, free medical and dental services; and

  • Protection against discrimination.

In this regard, Mr. President, I urge each and every member of this august body to support this bill. This may not be enough for our Senior Citizens. but, considering the present state of our economy and the many constraints that shade our path as a nation, this bill is a big leap towards a brighter tomorrow for them, and a life ahead, worth living, for most of us who are on our way there.

Ginoong Pangulo, lahat tayo ay naghahangad ng magandang kinabukasan para sa ating mga nakatatanda. Umaasa ako na sa pagpasa ng panukalang ito hindi na kailanman makakaranas ng diskriminasyon, pagkagutom, kahirapan, at pang-aapi ang mahal nating mga Senior Citizens.

Sa mga kadahilanang ito Ginoong Pangulo, hinihikayat ko ang kapulungang ito na pagtulungang ipasa ang panukalang batas na ito.

MARAMING SALAMAT PO!


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